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Optimization of Composite Lattice Core Sandwich Cylinders for Aerospace Applications
Motivated by the high specific performance of composite lattice structures for sandwich applications, the objective of this thesis is to explore the bounds of structural performance of cylindrical structures with composite lattice cores based on numerical optimizations.
Background: Structural components in aerospace applications often comprise cylindrical shells loaded in compression and bending, such as launch vehicle airframes, fuselages, and satellite hubs. To increase their structural performance, these structures are typically made of sandwich construction, comprising high-strength composite facesheets and a low density core material (e.g. honeycomb/foam)
Motivation: Owing to their high specific strength and stiffness, composite lattice structures have recently gained increasing interest for use as core material in sandwich applications. In a previous Semester thesis aiming to characterize the structural behavior and buckling modes of lattice core sandwich cylinders, it was shown that the performance of such structures is governed by local facesheet buckling modes, due to the comparatively large areas of unsupported facesheet. While pyramidal composite lattice cores were shown to outperform polymeric foam cores for buckling-prone cylindrical structures, their performance is still inferior to that of honeycomb core sandwich cylinders.
Background: Structural components in aerospace applications often comprise cylindrical shells loaded in compression and bending, such as launch vehicle airframes, fuselages, and satellite hubs. To increase their structural performance, these structures are typically made of sandwich construction, comprising high-strength composite facesheets and a low density core material (e.g. honeycomb/foam)
Motivation: Owing to their high specific strength and stiffness, composite lattice structures have recently gained increasing interest for use as core material in sandwich applications. In a previous Semester thesis aiming to characterize the structural behavior and buckling modes of lattice core sandwich cylinders, it was shown that the performance of such structures is governed by local facesheet buckling modes, due to the comparatively large areas of unsupported facesheet. While pyramidal composite lattice cores were shown to outperform polymeric foam cores for buckling-prone cylindrical structures, their performance is still inferior to that of honeycomb core sandwich cylinders.
The objective of this thesis is to identify optimized core topologies for axially loaded composite lattice core sandwich cylinders, and to explore their bounds of structural performance compared to state-of-the-art technologies. The major tasks are:
• Identification of improved periodic lattice core topologies and geometric parametrization of the unit cell
• Establishment of an optimization framework based on a parametrized FE model
• Perform optimizations of composite lattice core sandwich cylinders to identify optimum core topologies maximizing the structural performance.
• Investigation of the effect of facesheet layup and local facesheet reinforcement on the structural performance
• Assessment of the off-design performance based on parameter studies
The objective of this thesis is to identify optimized core topologies for axially loaded composite lattice core sandwich cylinders, and to explore their bounds of structural performance compared to state-of-the-art technologies. The major tasks are: • Identification of improved periodic lattice core topologies and geometric parametrization of the unit cell • Establishment of an optimization framework based on a parametrized FE model • Perform optimizations of composite lattice core sandwich cylinders to identify optimum core topologies maximizing the structural performance. • Investigation of the effect of facesheet layup and local facesheet reinforcement on the structural performance • Assessment of the off-design performance based on parameter studies
Christoph Karl
ETH Zurich - CMASLab
Leonhardstr. 21, LEE O 225
8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 632 0840
Email: karlc@ethz.ch
Christoph Karl
ETH Zurich - CMASLab Leonhardstr. 21, LEE O 225 8092 Zurich, Switzerland