Duke & Associates will utilize the strain energy dissipation technology developed by the Naval Research Laboratory(NRL) to develop energy dissipation characterization methodology for composite material/laminate characterization and design of aircraft certification representative structure. We will utilize the NRL Structures Simulator with Finite Element Models of aerospace structures such as the McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA)/NASA Composite Transport Wing, the MDA/Navy F/A-18E/F Vertical Fin, and the MDA/Navy Dry Deck Shelter to identify the advantages of this Technology compared with conventional analysis methods. MDA will provide us with available Finite Element Models and their extensive test data base and we will provide them with data from this SBIR program. Southern Research Institute will be a subcontractor providing composite testing and mechanics expertise and assisting in identifying the cost and schedule improvements possible with the use of strain energy dissipation. We will develop an approach for certification methodologies which support application of strain energy dissipation to advanced air vehicles and validate the performance, cost, and schedule attributes. We have included an optional task to fabricate composite panels of new materials appropriate to the above MDA systems to permit early NRL testing in Phase II.
Benefit: This research and development will quantify the cost, performance, and schedule advantages of the use of energy dissipation to certify composite structures for aerospace systems. It will accelerate acceptance by the aerospace community, DoD, NASA and the commercial industry. This technology will be able to be put into practice on Navy and Air Force weapon systems, commercial aircraft, and spacecraft. This will significantly Advance the U. S. lead in composites.
Keywords: strain energy, strain energy, structural design, Strain Energy Dissipation, Structural Certification, characterization, Material Characterization, material, test methods, Analysis Methods, Composite structures, dissipation
