CURING RESIDUAL-STRESSES AND FAILURE ANALYSIS IN COMPOSITE CYLINDERS

A method to predict the residual stress due to curing in thick or thin laminated cylinders is presented, decoupling the stress analysis from the cure kinetics. The method employs a 3D elasticity solution, calculating in-plane and normal stresses. The results compare well with those obtained by a verified computer code (WINDTHICK), with a substantial savings in running time. Transient stresses during curing due to the non-uniform through the thickness temperature distribution are also calculated. The risk of micro cracking and internal delaminations can then be evaluated.