The objective of this report is to summarize the deterministic and probabilistic structural evaluation results of two structures made with advanced ceramic composites (CMC): internally pressurized tube and uniformly loaded flange. The deterministic structural evaluation includes stress, displacement, and buckling analyses. It is carried out using the finite element code MHOST, developed for the 3-D inelastic analysis of structures that are made with advanced materials. The probabilistic evaluation is performed using the integrated probabilistic assessment of composite structures computer code IPACS. The affects of uncertainties in primitive variables related to the material, fabrication process, and loadings on the material property and structural response behavior are quantified. The primitive variables considered are: thermo-mechanical properties of fiber and matrix, fiber and void volume ratios, use temperature, and pressure. The probabilistic structural analysis and probabilistic strength results are used by IPACS to perform reliability and risk evaluation of the two structures. The results will show that the sensitivity information obtained for the two composite structures from the computational simulation can be used to alter the design process to meet desired service requirements. In addition to detailed probabilistic analysis of the two structures, the following were performed specifically on the CMC tube: (1) predicted the failure load and the buckling load, (2) performed coupled non-deterministic multi-disciplinary structural analysis, and (3) demonstrated that probabilistic sensitivities can be used to select a reduced set of design variables for optimization.Abumeri, Galib H. and Chamis, Christos C.Glenn Research CenterCERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES; STRESS ANALYSIS; STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS; STRUCTURAL FAILURE; FINITE ELEMENT METHOD; BUCKLING; SHEAR; PROBABILITY THEORY

Advanced ceramic composites are the focus of intense research and development today because these materials offer a unique mix of properties that make them useful and economical for major engineering applications. As part of this R&D effort, new tools for characterization, evaluation and testing have been developed and are in current use. This book brings together leading materials researchers to report on these developments. In-depth reports cover evaluation and test methods as they relate to the design of specific advanced ceramic composite materials and their applications. The reports are supplemented with extensive test result data and illustrated with numerous micrographs and schematics.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.