Energy-dissipating composite members with progressive failure: Impulsive response and experimental verification

An experimental investigation of response for tailored one-dimensional energy-dissipating composite members with progressive failure subject to quasi-static and impulsive tensile loading is presented. The tailoring concept relies upon a progressive failure sequence of redundant load paths of tailored strength and length to induce a yield-type response. In a prior publication the authors presented the concept development and analytical modeling of response under quasi-static loading. In this paper, an experimental verification is provided using a universal testing machine for members under quasi-static uniaxial loading. Furthermore, the model is extended to impulsive loading, and a custom-design drop test setup is developed to provide an experimental validation of analytical response. The results obtained confirm the hypothesized progressive failure sequence of redundant load paths, thereby validating the failure tailoring concept, as well as the accuracy and predictive power of the developed models of response in terms of both the number of partial failures induced for a given loading and the increased energy dissipation capability. Potential aerospace applications include snap-resistant tensile structures, for example space tethers, towing and cargo restraint lines, crashworthy helicopter troop seat stroke control straps, and aircraft emergency arrest gear.