Probabilistic Burst Strength of Filament-Wound Cylinders Under Internal Pressure

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical approach for predicting the probabilistic ultimate strength after initial failure of the carbon fiber helical-wound cylinders under internal pressure. First, the initial failure strength distribution is analysed according to the maximum stress and the Tsai-Wu criteria, based on the scatter of basic data of unidirectional composites. The analysis is performed by using the piecewise linar method, taking account of the nonlinear shear stress-strain relation. Secondly, the ultimate strength is analysed by assuming the degradation of stiffness corresponding to the initial failure modes. The analytical predictions are compared with the burst test results of CFRP cylinders with some different winding angles. Good agreements are obtained both in the burst pressures and in the pressure-strain curves up to fracture.