Composite Structure Analysis, Fabrication and Test

• Past Research (Stiffened Plate Analysis and Design, SPAD)

  • Structural analysis of nature shape bio-inspired structures including stiffened structure, fiber reinforced laminates (straight fiber, short fiber, continuous fiber), etc.

  • Separate modeling for base structures (plates/shells) and stiffeners

  • Static, buckling, vibration and prestressed vibration responses of stiffened plates in terms of both mechanical and thermal loads

  • Optimization of optimal stiffener shape and tow-steered varying fiber path angles

  • Design for fabrication by including manufacturing constraints

• Current Research Topic (Improving SPAD Toolkit)

  • Postbucking, progressive failure analysis, fabrication and test, etc.

Relevant Publications:

Zhao, W. and Kapania, R. K., “Prestressed Vibration of Stiffened Variable Angle Tow Laminated Plate,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 57, No. 6, pp.2575–2593, 2019, DOI: 10.2514/1.J057719

Zhao,W., Singh, K. A, and Kapania, R. K., "Thermal Buckling Analysis and Optimization of Curvilinearly Stiffened Plates with Variable Angle Tow Laminates," AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets , 2018, DOI: 10.2514/1.A34378

Zhao, W. and Kapania, R. K.  "Buckling Analysis of Unitized Curvilinearly Stiffened Composite Panels, '' Composite Structures, Vol. 135, 2016, pp. 365-382, DOI:  10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.09.041

Zhao, W. and Kapania, R. K.  "Vibrational Analysis of Curvilinearly Stiffened Composite Panels Subjected to In-plane Loads'' AIAA Journal, Vol. 55, No. 3, 2017, pp. 981-997, DOI: 10.2514/1.J055047