ONR Grant: Multi-Scale Modeling of 3D Multi-Axial Compressive Failures in Unidirectional and Woven Composites
Associate Professor Kedar Kirane was awarded a grant by The Office of Naval Research (ONR) for a three-year project
titled "Multi-scale modeling of 3D multi-axial compressive failures in unidirectional and
woven composites." The compressive failure of unidirectional (UD) and woven fiber composites under
multi-axial stress is a complex, multi-scale phenomenon that current models cannot
reliably predict. The proposed research addresses this gap by developing multi-mechanism,
multi-scale constitutive models for compressive failure and a standardized process
for model parameter identification through experiments. If successful, this work will
produce versatile models capable of predicting micro-mechanical effects and reducing
ambiguity in parameter calibration, thus significantly enhancing the reliability of
computer-aided design for composite structures. These advancements will benefit various
applications, including naval and aerospace engineering.