Damage Tolerance Analysis for Advanced Composites

Abstract In this article, the concept of damage tolerance as it relates to aerospace grade carbon fiber polymeric composites is introduced. The goal of a damage tolerance approach is to ensure safety of a structural part even in the presence of an acceptable flaw or damage. Typical damage of concern is impact‐induced delamination, particularly, barely visible impact damage (BVID) wherein internal unseen delamination can be present and grow with service loading. Damage assessment using non destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques is critical. Compression after impact (CAI) has become an industry standard to evaluate residual strength, which is a good measure of effect of impact damage on laminate compressive design property. The overall damage tolerance approach is empirical and relies heavily on test data. More sophisticated combined analytical/computational/experimental methods are under development.