First ply failure analysis on symmetric laminate / Mohd Basri Rasli

The main objective of this project is to analyze and simulate the first ply failure of selected symmetric composite laminates. Finite element computational models are developed using NASTRAN software. Various elements and number of meshes are employed to ensure result accuracy. Several lamination schemes are modeled and analyzed and the stress distributions for each lamination scheme are simulated. Failure analysis procedure is performed to determine the first ply failure load. If no failure occurs, the load is increased until first ply failure occurs. The results are validated and compared with other computational results. The results of the first ply failure load are then compared for several lamination schemes. The failure behaviours of the laminates are studied. The results show good agreement with other computational results. This shows that the procedure failure analysis performed could be used to determine first ply failure load accurately and reliable. Thus, the objective of this project is achieved successfully.