07/23/2021
By Sokny Long

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, invites you to attend a master’s thesis defense by Evgenia Plaka on “Optimization of Composite Joints.”

MSE Candidate: Evgenia Plaka
Defense Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Time: 11 a.m. to noon EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact the student evgenia_plaka@student.uml.edu and committee advisor, marianna_maiaru@uml.edu, at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair (Advisor): Marianna Maiaru, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UMass Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Scott Stapleton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Stephen Jones, Aerospace Structural Engineer, Collier Research Corporation
  • Brett Bednarcyk, Ph.D., Materials Research Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center
  • Evan Pineda, Ph.D., Aerospace Research Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center

Brief Abstract:

The analysis and optimization of composite structures is a multiscale problem. To overcome the complex multiscale design problem associated with composite structures, Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) frameworks are being investigated for their use in rapid composite optimization. Within ICME, several length scales are studied, integrated, and optimized using computational techniques to design the ultimate performance of the composite at the macroscale. The work presented in this thesis falls under the macroscale component of the ICME framework. Its aim is to establish a reliable analysis process for the optimization of a structural composite joint (Y-joint) to be used in an aircraft, using a rapid joint design tool software called HyperX.

HyperX was investigated as a substitute and/or complement to the finite element analysis software, Abaqus. Abaqus, while an extremely beneficial tool, trades computational efficiency for increased accuracy. A composite flat pi joint and a composite Y-joint (curved Pi-joint) were evaluated in HyperX to determine the applicability and limits of the software for the Pi-joint configurations because HyperX does not explicitly include Pi-joint capability. Furthermore, four main preliminary parametric studies were performed to better understand the capability of HyperX in predicting the stress distributions and trends in the Y-joint. The parameters explored were the joint curvature, the laminated skin thickness, the adhesive systems, and the ply composition. Lastly, preliminary failure predictions using appropriate failure criteria were analyzed for the effect of skin thickness.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.