This paper presents a strength prediction technology for composite materials using numerical analysis. Composite materials typified by fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) are superior to metals in specific strength, and are mainly applied to transportation equipment such as aircraft. However, the damage phenomena of FRP are complicated, and a large number of tests are required to ensure structural reliability, so the development period tends to be lengthy. Therefore, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is working on the development of an analytical technique to simulate complex damage phenomena of FRP and predict strength with high accuracy. This analytical technique expresses damage to the fiber, resin, and interlayer with numerical analysis and predicts strength by sequentially solving the progress of damage. This report introduces examples of the analysis of compressive strength reduction due to impact damage, which is particularly problematic for FRP.
