Title: Mechanical Property Enhancement Prediction for Matrix Materials
Researchers: Joshua Morris, Alireza Amirkhizi
Sponsors: NSF, WindSTAR
Collaborators: Huntsman, TPI Composites
Description: The objective is to improve the FEA modeling of composite structures/parts by creating material models that better predict the behavior of particular resin and fiber mixtures. Using a large database of mechanical test results for various composite samples, a catalog of materials can be developed for use in the analysis and the optimization of wind turbine blade designs. This catalog of materials can also be used to help screen materials before blade manufacturing that can consider the cost and strength benefits of various composites.