lab name

Research

Lamborghini Lamborghini

Characterization of Discontinuous Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Systems for Airframe Applications

This project is aimed at characterizing the fundamental behavior of this material form, developing analysis methods for failure prediction, damage progression modeling and structure certification, and generating guidelines for future part design.

Standardization of Numerical and Experimental Procedures for Composite Materials Crashworthiness Energy Absorption

This project is aimed at comparing existing test methods and FEA simulation strategies. This in turn will lead to the development of a set of recommended best practices in test procedures and analytical modeling.

Damage resistance and tolerance of composites to lightning strike

A wide range of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are finding use in today's aerospace, automotive, and other industries. These new composite materials have many benefits; however, their use as the primary structure of modern aircraft presents special problems with regard to the threat of lightning strikes. This project simulates the effects of lightning strike on CFRP, with a generator that releases up to 100,000 Amps in 50 microseconds. This will be used to study the interactions of lightning strike on composites, and to characterize the loss in structural performance associated with the damage.

Analytical and experimental characterization of VARTM/ Prepreg automotive primary structures

This project will characterize through the building block approach the possibility of employing non-autoclave materials for primary load-bearing and crash structures. Material testing at the coupon and element level, and FEA of simple as well as built-up components will be performed.