Composite Materials

Center for Fracture Physics has been involved in the research of strength and failure behavior of composite materials under a variety of loads. Much of this research has concentrated on the behavior of the composites beyond the threshold of damage initiation. Loading conditions include biaxial or multiaxial loads on composite materials or structures. Dynamic behavior of composite materials and structures from impact or blast loads have also been studied. The composite material research programs in Center for Fracture Physics laboratory include material characterization testing, composite structures testing, material constitutive and damage model development, structural analysis, and application of composite materials for severe environments such as blast or fragment containment, lightweight armor, or crashworthiness.

Example Programs

• Characterization of the mechanical and failure behavior of metal matrix composites under multiaxial loads.
• Design of lightweight composite armor.
• Tests and analyses of composite compressor blades subjected to bird strike loading.
• Development of fracture and spall models for shock loaded composites.
• Response of composite motorcase structures under blast loading conditions.

Contact Us
Don Shockey
Director, Center for Fracture Physics
Phone: 650-859-2587
Email: donald.shockey@sri.com