A simulation procedure for the design of composite tubes with large deformability

A procedure to design composite tubes that can match the stiffness, strength, and deformation of an aluminum tube used for primary load bearing applications is presented. Tubes subjected to bending loads are considered. The large deformation of the composite tube is obtained via strategic location of plies of suitable fiber orientations across the thickness of the tube. Two analytical and simulation methods for the determination of stiffness are proposed, and their accuracy is verified by experimental results. Three-dimensional finite element method is used to determine the stresses developed, and a procedure to handle the high positive radial stress is proposed.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye