Effect of Interfacial Debonding on the Strength of Composite Structure-Similarity Scale Model for the Wing-Box

Abstract

Based on the wing-box structure, a model was established to analyze the strength of the scale model for the composite wing. Firstly, different failure criteria were set to determine damage onset of the components. The continuum damage variables were adopted in the stiffness degradation rule. Secondly, the interface elements were placed along the interface between the beam flange and the skin to investigate the effects of bonding strength on the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the wing-box. The failure modes of the wing-box structure were studied by using the nonlinear finite element method. The effect of flange’s width on the strength of wing-box was discussed based on the prediction method. The results indicated that the ultimate load-carrying capacity varied distinctly with the change of flange’s width. However, the bonding strength had limited effect on the model strength as the flange’s width increases to the critical value. The research methods and results of the study can serve as reference for the strength analysis on the scale model of composite wing as well as the determination of principles adopted in the design of the scale model for wing spar.