What constitutes a quality solution to an authentic task from industry? This study seeks to address this question through the examination of two expert solutions to an authentic engineering task used in the Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering curriculum at Oregon State University. The two solutions were generated by two...
Engineers have long been inspired by nature's flyers. Such animals navigate complex environments gracefully and efficiently by using a variety of evolutionary adaptations for high-performance flight. Biologists have discovered a variety of sensory adaptations that provide flow state feedback and allow flying animals to feel their way through flight. A...
A lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) c-channel beam was previously designed using analytical theory and finite element analysis and subsequently manufactured through a pultrusion process. Physical testing revealed the prototype did not meet the bending and torsional stiffness of the beam model. An investigation revealed that the manufactured prototype...
When using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to model notched composite panels, the values of certain material properties can have a great effect on the outcome of the simulation. Progressive damage modeling is used to model how a composite structure will fail, and how that failure will affect the response of...
Understanding the mechanical behavior of composite materials requires extensive knowledge of fracture behavior as a crack approaches an interface between the bulk material and the reinforcement structure. Overall material toughness can be greatly influenced by the propensity of an impinging crack to propagate directly through the substrate or deflect along...
The use of adhesives in demanding engineering applications is a very common
occurrence in the modern world. These adhesives are taking the role of many traditional
fasteners, especially in the area of fiber reinforced composites. As the use of these
adhesives become more common place, better understanding of their mechanics...
Identifying material characteristics of composites is important in designing any
structural system. The aerospace industry relies on these material properties not only to
design a functional aircraft, but also a safe and reliable one. Since carbon fiber
composites are relatively new materials, little is known about its characteristics under
certain...
Physical testing of composite sandwich panels in three point bending is an increasingly important aspect of qualifying a composite monocoque for Formula SAE competition. Required stiffness and strength values have increased over the past three years, and more of the monocoque's laminates must be tested as well. As a result,...
The ability to engineer stiffness and strength in any desired direction make composites an ideal material candidate for various applications when compared to their traditional isotropic counterparts. In spite of this, the ability to model the material response in composites has yet to be fully explored. Composite research largely focuses...
Designing a carbon fiber chassis for the Global Formula Race car has historically proven to be both time intensive and difficult. The goal of this thesis is to improve the design process for testing Global Formula Racing team's composite chassis sandwich panels. Consideration was taken regarding Formula SAE rules, and...
