Patent Publication Number: US-2007100565-A1

Title: System and Computer Program Product for Analyzing and Manufacturing a Structural Member Having a Predetermined Load Capacity

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is related to commonly owned copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/733,102, filed Nov. 3, 2005, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to systems and computer program products for analyzing and/or manufacturing a structural member with a predetermined load capacity, such as by determining the critical load of a composite member, e.g., according to a partitioning of strain energy and the criticality of gauss point strains for one or more predetermined loads.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Composite structural members typically exhibit material properties that make failure analysis by conventional techniques difficult. For example, many composite materials exhibit little deformation before cracking or otherwise failing. Thus, it can be difficult to accurately predict the point of failure of a composite member based on the deformation that results from a stress before the member develops cracks or otherwise begins to fail. In particular, the anisotropic nature of fiber reinforced composite materials, as well as complexities associated with the use of multiple materials in the same structural component, generally requires predictions based on empirical techniques. Those approaches require extensive testing of identical, or substantially similar, structural components in order to develop accurate predictions. Therefore, composite members are typically tested after their design and manufacture to determine or substantiate a critical load capacity. Such testing can be expensive and time consuming, thereby limiting the number of alternative designs for a particular member that can be evaluated.  
      Thus, there exists a need for an improved system and computer program product for analyzing and manufacturing a structural member to determine the loading capacity of the member without requiring excessive destructive testing. The system and computer program product should be capable of analyzing composite structural members and should provide accurate evaluation of the member so that the member can be designed to withstand at least a minimum load while reducing or minimizing the weight and cost of manufacture.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a system and computer program product for analyzing a load capacity of a composite member. For example, the system can be implemented with a computer program product that includes a computer-readable storage medium with computer-readable program code portions stored therein. According to one embodiment, the computer-readable program code portions include a first executable portion for receiving model data and material data. The model data is characteristic of a configuration and load condition of the structural member, and the material data is characteristic of material properties of a material of the structural member. A second executable portion analyzes the model data and generates analysis data including strain tensors for a plurality of nodes of the structural member. A third executable portion generates enhanced analysis data including a critical strain invariant value representative of a material of the structural member. A fourth executable portion analyzes the enhanced analysis data to generate results data representative of load conditions that result in damage instability in the structural member and a likely location, and direction of the instability.  
      For example, for a composite structural member having a matrix phase and a fiber phase, the second, third, and fourth executable portions can be configured to provide at least one matrix phase critical distortional strain invariant for the composite material of the composite member, provide at least one fiber phase critical distortional strain invariant for the composite material of the composite member, and determine at least one matrix phase critical dilatational strain invariant for the composite material of the composite member. Each matrix phase strain invariant value corresponds to a strain condition of one of a plurality of gauss points of the matrix phase of the composite member due to a predetermined load on the composite member. The executable portions can also determine a plurality of strain invariant values for the composite material of the composite member, each strain invariant value corresponding to a strain condition of one of a plurality of gauss points of the composite material of the composite member due to the predetermined load on the composite member. The executable portions can compare each matrix and fiber phase strain invariant value to the corresponding matrix or fiber phase critical strain invariant to identify a criticality of each gauss point for the predetermined load. Thus, the portions of the computer-readable program can determine a partition of a total strain energy for the predetermined load, with the total strain energy being partitioned between retained energy and dispersed energy according to the criticality of the gauss points. For example, strain energy associated with each critical gauss point can be partitioned as dispersed energy and strain energy associated with each non-critical gauss point can be partitioned as retained energy.  
      Further, the portions can be configured to repeat these operations for different predetermined loads, such as increasingly greater loads, and thereby calculate a critical load (onset of damage instability) that corresponds to a damage considered unacceptable for a particular application, i.e., a maximum energy that can be retained. For example, the critical load can be calculated by determining a maximum energy retention according to implicit damage functionals that are based on the lamina properties of the composite member.  
      According to one aspect of the invention, an additional executable portion can also be provided for performing a probabilistic analysis of the results data to determine variations in the results data due to probabilistically likely variations in one or more of the materials of the structural member and/or the geometric configuration of the structural member. An additional executable portion can also be provided for adjusting an attribute, such as a dimension of the composite member, according to the calculated load capacity, such that an iterative analysis of the member can be performed automatically.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detail description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments and which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a composite structural member formed according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a system for analyzing the load capacity of a structural member according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating the operations for analyzing the load capacity of a structural member according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematic diagrams graphically illustrating a system and operations for analyzing the load capacity of a composite structural member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
      Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a structural member  10  formed of a composite material according to one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the composite material of the member  10  includes a fiber phase and a matrix phase. The fiber phase is defined by a plurality of fiber reinforcement members  12  (three of which are illustrated by broken lines extending longitudinally along the member  10  in  FIG. 1 ), and the matrix phase is defined by a matrix material  14  in which the fiber reinforcement members  12  are disposed. For example, the structural member  10  can be formed of a plurality of elongate tapes (or “tows”) that are disposed, consolidated, and cured in the desired configuration. The reinforcement members  12  can be disposed as individual fibers, strands, braids, woven or nonwoven mats, and the like that are formed of materials such as fiberglass, metal, minerals, conductive or nonconductive graphite or carbon, nylon, aramids such as Kevlar®, a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and the like. The matrix phase  14 , in which the reinforcement members are disposed  12 , can include various materials such as thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric resins. Exemplary thermosetting resins include allyls, alkyd polyesters, bismaleimides (BMI), epoxies, phenolic resins, polyesters, polyurethanes (PUR), polyurea-formaldehyde, cyanate ester, and vinyl ester resin. Exemplary thermoplastic resins include liquid-crystal polymers (LCP); fluoroplastics, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinylether (MFA); ketone-based resins, including polyetheretherketone (PEEK™, a trademark of Victrex PLC Corporation, Thorntons Cleveleys Lancashire, UK); polyamides such as nylon-6/6, 30% glass fiber; polyethersulfones (PES); polyamideimides (PAI), polyethylenes (PE); polyester thermoplastics, including polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and poly(phenylene terephthalates); polysulfones (PSU); poly(phenylene sulfides) (PPS).  
      The structural member  10  is characterized by critical load capacity, i.e., critical loads below which each portion of the member  10  can be subjected without damage instability or failure. The critical loads are dependent on such factors as the materials of which the member is formed. For example, in the case of a composite structural member as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the critical loads are determined by the types of fiber and matrix materials, the relative amounts of the fiber and matrix phases, the configuration of the fiber phase in the matrix phase, the dimensions and configuration of the composite member, the type of loading applied, other conditions to which the member is exposed, and the like. A composite structural member can be designed and manufactured to achieve a predetermined critical load capacity according to the actual loading of the composite member that is anticipated during operation or use thereof. In this regard, the critical load capacity can be determined analytically, without destruction of the member, according to the present invention. For example, the critical load capacity of the member can be determined before the manufacture of the composite member, such that subsequent destructive testing of the member is reduced or eliminated.  
      The critical loading capacity can be determined according to the capacity of the member to retain energy, and through the use of a strain invariant failure theory (referred to herein as “SIFT”). SIFT is further described in “A Damage Functional Methodology for Assessing Post-Damage Initiation Environments in Composite Structure,” by Jonathan H. Gosse, AIAA-2004-1788, 45 th  AIAA/ASME/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics &amp; Materials Conference, Apr. 19-22, 2004, Palm Springs, Calif. As described therein, SIFT can be used to analyze the initiation of damage in composite materials and bonded assemblies, and can be applied to various configurations of laminate stacking sequences, structural geometries, loading and boundary conditions, and the like. In particular, SIFT can be used to analyze damage initiation that is induced or indicated by a change in a shape of the structural member (“distortion”) and/or a change in a volume of the structural member (“dilatational”). In this regard, SIFT considers the distortion and dilation of the matrix and fiber of the structural member.  
      Damage initiation in the structural member is typically dictated by critical strain invariants associated with each of the fiber and matrix phases, i.e., critical strain values that are characteristic of the material(s) of the structural member. For example, a composite structural member can be formed by laying, consolidating, and curing a plurality of elongate composite tapes, each tape having fibers disposed in a matrix material with the fibers extending generally longitudinally along the direction of the tape. Damage initiation within the matrix phase of such a composite structural member is typically dictated by two critical strain invariants, J 1   critical  and ε von Mises   critical , that are characteristic of the matrix material, while damage in the fiber phase is typically dictated by one critical strain invariant, ε fiber   von Mises   critical , which is characteristic of the fiber reinforcement material. The ε fiber   von Mises   critical  is actually a highly localized value of the ε von Mises   critical  of the matrix phase. The value of this critical invariant is inferred by analyzing the fiber-dominated failure of product form and therefore is expressed as ε fiber   von Mises   critical . Thus, the criticality of a strain (i.e., whether the strain will result in permanent damage to the structural member) can be determined by comparing the strain invariants J 1 , ε von Mises  of the matrix phase to the respective critical strain invariants J 1   critical  and ε von Mises   critical  for the matrix phase and comparing the strain invariant ε fiber   von Mises  of the fiber phase to the respective critical strain invariant ε fiber   von Mises   critical  for the fiber phase:
 
J 1 ≧J 1   critical   (1)
 
ε von Mises ≧ε von Mises   critical   (2)
 
ε fiber   von Mises ≧ε fiber   von Mises   critical .  (3)
 
      The strain invariants are defined as:
 
 J   1 =ε 1 +ε 2 +ε 3   (4)
 
ε von Mises =(½[(ε 1 −ε 2 ) 2 +(ε 1 −ε 3 ) 2 +(ε 2 −ε 3 ) 2 ]) 1/2   (5)
 
      where ε 1 , ε 2 , and ε 3  are the principal strains.  
      That is, for each of a plurality of gauss points defined by the structural member, strain invariants are evaluated to determine how to partition the total internal strain energy of the structural member, i.e., to determine how much of the total internal strain energy of the structural member is retained (e.g., as strain in the structural member) and how much is dispersed (e.g., as damage). The gauss points at which this evaluation is to be determined can be selected using a precise procedure, or “diagnostic.” In particular, the total internal strain energy of the structural member can be partitioned using the following general equations:
 
 J   1   ≧J   1   critical →[ψ i (ξ J ) E   Ti   εE   D ] (i =1, 6 )  (6)
 
ε vM ≧ε vM   critical →[ψ i (ξ εvon Mises ) E   Ti   εE   D ] (i=1, 6 )  (7)
 
ε fiber   vM ≧ε fiber   vM   critical →[ψ i (ξ fiber, εvM ) E   Ti   εE   D ] (i=1, 6)   (8)
 
 where 
          corresponds to the principal material directions (4→23, 5→13, 6→12);     E Ti  expands to the six strain energy components of total energy;     E D  is the set of all dispersed energy;     ψ i (ξ Φ ) are the explicit damage functionals associated with each component of the total energy for each critical strain invariant Φ K , k=J i , ε von Mises  or ε fiber   von Mises ; and     vM indicates von Mises.        

      The damage functionals can be functions of the current state of deformation and the current state of damage as well as other variables, all of which are represented inclusively by ξ. The explicit damage functionals ψ i (ξ 101 ) can be considered indeterminate at this point in time due to the many variables involved in their assessment as well as their various interactions.  
      The explicit form of the maximum energy retention (MER) can be approximated by replacing the explicit damage functionals, ψ i (ξ Φ ) with implicit damage functionals ξ i β Φ  to yield the following:
 
J 1 ≧J 1   critical →[ξ i β J1 E Ti εE D ] (i=1, 6)   (9)
 
ε vM ≧ε vM   critical →[ξ i β εvM E Ti εE D ] (i=1, 6)   (10)
 
ε fiber   vM ≧ε fiber   vM   critical →[ξ i β fiber, εvM E Ti εE D ] ( i=1, 6 ).  (11)
 
      The MER is, in general, the maximum value of a numerical integral such that
 
∂ E   R   ω /∂δ i =0  (12)
 
 where 
 
      δ i  corresponds to the total current state of deformation, and  
      E R   ω  is the set of all retained energy (here ω represents matrix energy, fiber energy or total energy).  
      The implicit damage functionals ξ i β Φ include the assignment functionals ξ i  and the intralaminar functionals β Φ . The assignment functionals are either 0 or 1, signifying that realization of the critical values of the strain invariants will result in a partitioning of all of a particular energy component of the total energy to the disposed energy set or all of a particular energy component to the retained set. That is, all energy associated with each gauss point having a critical value is typically partitioned as dispersed energy, and all energy associated with each gauss point having non-critical values is partitioned as retained energy. The intralaminar functionals are functions of the lamina properties (e.g., for unidirectional product forms, E 11 , E 22 , E 33 , G 12 , G 13 , G 23 , υ 12 , υ 13 , υ 23 , α 11 , α 22 , α 33 , J 1   critical , ε Von Mises   critical , ε fiber   von Mises   critical  and the current state of deformation, where E is the linear modulus of elasticitiy, G is the torsional modulus of elasticity, v is Poisson&#39;s ration, and α is the coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result, β Φ  are functions of the effective intrinsic material properties of the composite product form (i.e., the pure product form, such as unidirectional tape lamina). Laminate properties are not used in the implicit damage functional formulation. The intralaminar damage functionals are also a function of the current state of deformation and therefore are variables, not constants.  
      Once Equation (12) is satisfied, interlaminar damage functionals operate on the deformed state of Equation (12) to obtain the final deformed state corresponding to the peak capacity (or onset of damage instability) of the irreversibly deformed composite structure. The interlaminar damage functional(s), λ, can be functions both of the effective lamina intrinsic material properties and derived entities such as dispersed energy and the volume from which the energy was dispersed. Therefore, the interlaminar damage functional(s) λ are also variables.  
      Artificial intelligence methods and systems can be used to implement SIFT, e.g., to perform the MER analysis. In particular, an artificial intelligence device or module can be provided with a problem statement and supporting information to properly define the problem to be solved, i.e., the equations for resolving the MER analysis, the implicit damage functionals, and the rules and strategies for their implementation.  
      To obtain the ultimate load capacity (load environment for damage instability) of a given deformed composite structure, the strain invariants at each gauss point within the energy domain (that is, the domain enclosing the strain localization assessed for damage instability) are evaluated, e.g., using Equations (1)-(3) and (9)-(11), above. The final deformed configuration (DF MER ) at the point of MER from equation (12) is then operated on by the implicit damage functional(s) λ to obtain the desired deformed configuration of the composite structure. The deformed configuration corresponding to the ultimate load capacity (or damage instability) of the composite structure is:
 
DF final =DF MER λ  (13).
 
      The theory and implementation of SIFT is further described in the following references, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference: “Strain Invariant Failure Theory; Failure Theory and Methodologies for Implementation,” presented by Jon Gosse, available at http ://www.compositn.net/Downloads/Presentation%20-%20Modelling%20-%20Boeing.pdf, “Damage progression by the element-failure method (EFM) and strain invariant failure theory (SIFT),” by T. E. Tay, S. H. N. Tan, V. B. C. Tan, and J. H. Gosse, Composites Science and Technology 65 (2005), 935-944, December 2004; “Application of a First Invariant Strain Criterion for Matrix Failure in Composite Materials,” by R. Li, D. Kelly, and R. Ness, Journal of Composite Materials, November 2003, vol. 37, no. 22/2003, pp. 1977-2000; and “Methodology for Composite Durability Assessment,” by Stephen W. Tsai and John L. Townsley, September 2003 SAMPE Technical Conference, Dayton, Ohio.  
      The systems and methods described below could be used for analyzing structural members that are formed of any of various materials, including non-composite materials such as metals and the like. However, the present invention is particularly useful in the analysis and manufacture of structural members that are formed of composite materials, such as the composite structural member  10  of  FIG. 1 , which can be difficult to analyze by conventional methods.  
       FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a system  20  for analyzing the loading capacity of the structural member according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system  20  includes a number of modules, or components, which can be separate, independent devices or integrated as one or more devices. For example, the system  20  can include a computer with a processor or controller  22 , memory  24 , and input/output ports, and the system  20  can be configured to operate as one or more of the modules. In some cases, each module can be an executable portion of a computer program product, i.e., computer-readable program code portions of a computer software program stored on a computer-readable medium such as memory  24 . Each module can be separate or integrated with the other modules, and each can operate on a computer or other device that is separate or the same as the device on which the other modules operate.  
      The typical communication of data between the various modules of the system  20  is also graphically illustrated in  FIG. 2  and described below; however, it is appreciated that each of the modules can be configured to communicate with some or all of the other modules, and the modules can communicate according to any of various communication protocols. The data communicated into, within, and from the system  20  can be communicated as files, time varying signals, or the like, and can be communicated between the modules as internal or external communications according to the configuration of the modules. For example, in one embodiment, the modules communicate by successively storing and retrieving data in files, and the files can be stored in a memory, disk drive, or the like. In particular, the various modules can communicate data to and from a memory that is associated with the controller  22 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the system  20  includes an input/output module  30  for receiving information from a user and providing information to the user. The input/output module  30  can include an input device, such as a keyboard or the like for receiving the user&#39;s entries, and a video monitor or other output device for presenting information to the user. The input/output device  30  can be an independently controlled device, such as a personal computer or computer workstation. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the input/output device can be controlled by the controller  22 , which can be configured to communicate with and/or control other modules of the system  20 .  
      The input/output module  30  is configured to communicate data to a model generator module  32 . Thus, the model generator module  32  can be configured to provide a parameterized user interface via the input/output module by which a user can enter model data to define a model configuration of a structural member. The model generator module  32  can also be configured to receive all of the material properties for the structural member from the user. However, a materials handler module  34  is typically provided to receive or retrieve at least some of the data from a database module  36 , which can include one or more databases  38 ,  40 , so that the user need not enter the data. Thus, the materials handler module  34  is configured to receive or retrieve data regarding the structural member, e.g., by receiving the input model data from the model generator module  32  and by retrieving corresponding material property data from the one or more databases  38 ,  40  of the database module  36 . The materials handler module  34  can provide the data to the rest of the system  20  for analysis. In particular, the data can be provided to an analysis module  42 , a micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package  44 , a SIFT analysis module  46 , and/or a probabilistic module  50 .  
      The operations for analyzing a structural member according to one embodiment of the present invention are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, the model data is input into the system  20 , typically by the user using the input/output module  30 . See block  60 . Based on the user input model data, the model generator  32  provides design-basis values to the materials handler module  34 , i.e., data that is characteristic of the structural member being modeled and the conditions under which the structural member is to be modeled. The materials handler module  34  retrieves from the database module  36  material property data that corresponds to the material of the model structural member, i.e., according to the model data. See block  62 . The model data and material data are provided as analysis data to the analysis module  42 , which typically performs finite element analysis to generate homogenized analysis data representative of the structural member. See block  64 . The analysis module  42  can also display the data as a graphic representation of the structural member. See block  66 . The micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  receives the homogenized analysis data and generates enhanced analysis data that includes an enhanced set of strain tensors. The enhanced strain tensors are characteristic of a failure condition for the composite member. That is, the enhanced strain tensors are representative of the micromechanical behavior of the structural member under the minimal conditions that result in failure of the member. See block  68 . The SIFT analysis module  46  receives the enhanced analysis data and performs a SIFT analysis of the data, thereby generating results data representative of the load conditions that result in damage instability in the structural member, the likely location of the instability, and the likely direction and/or path of progression of the instability. See block  70 . The results data can be further analyzed by the probabilistic module  50 , which performs a probabilistic analysis to determine likely variations in the results data that may occur due to probabilistically likely variations in the material or composition of the structural member, variations in the geometric configuration of the structural member, and the like. See block  74 . The data resulting from each of the analysis modules can be stored and/or reported, e.g., by storing the data in a computer file and/or displaying a graphic representation of the data to the user on a video monitor. See, e.g., block  72 .  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  schematically illustrate with greater detail the operation of select portions of a system  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention for analyzing the loading capacity of a structural member made of a composite material. As noted above, the model generator  32  receives model data, typically from the input/output module  30 , such as a keyboard, mouse, or other device, or from a pre-constructed data file. See block  80 . The model data can include information characteristic of the physical structure of the member, such as a geometry of the member; the particular material(s) from which the member is formed; the configuration of the materials, such as the structure, size, number, and layout of fibers in a matrix material of a composite structural member; and the structure, size, number, and layout of layers, plies, or other portions of the member. In addition, the model data can include load data, i.e., information characteristic of the loading condition of the structural member, such as the magnitude, location, direction, and timing of loads or forces that are to be applied to the structural member; the magnitude, location, and timing of thermal conditions to which the structural member is to be exposed, such as thermal boundary conditions that are to exist at one or more ends of the member; the magnitude, location, timing, and type of humidity or other conditions in the environment of the structural member; and other characteristics of the composite member, its environment, and its use.  
      The model generator can provide a parameterized user interface, e.g., a graphical user interface via the input/output module  30  by which the user can define values for various pre-defined parameters of a composite member model including, but not limited to, parameters regarding the shape, geometric configuration, and composition of the composite member model as well as each of the loads, temperature, humidity, and other conditions applied to the composite member model as a function of time.  
      Based on the user input, the model generator module  32  provides design-basis values to the materials handler module  34 , including the fiber and matrix materials of the composite member, the number and configuration of plies, fibers, and/or other constituents of the member, as well as values representative of test or use conditions for the composite member, such as time or duration of use, humidity schedule, temperature schedule, and loading schedule. See block  82 .  
      The materials handler module  34  receives the input model data from the model generator module  32  and retrieves material property data from one or both of the databases  38 ,  40 . See block  84 . The basic materials database  38  contains information regarding material properties for one or more materials from which the composite member can be formed. See block  86 . The data stored in the basic materials database  38  can be generated from test data that results from physical tests. See block  94 . The test data can include for each type of composite material such information as the following: the names of the fiber and resin of the composite material; the volume of fiber in a unit volume of the composite material; a temperature at which the composite material is substantially strain-free; an incremental relationship between load and strain for the unidirectional composite material; values representative of typical failure strain for unidirectional test specimens with various fiber orientations. See block  92 .  
      A critical value calculator module is configured to receive the mechanical unidirectional test data and use the test data to generate critical strain invariant values for the composite materials. See block  90 . In particular, the critical strain invariant values can be determined empirically, by conducting tests of a unidirectional test coupon and evaluating equations (1)-(3) above at the location of failure.  
      Thus, in addition to any of the test data, the basic materials database  38  can be provided with values corresponding to such properties for each material as the following: fiber modulus, i.e., the modulus of elasticity of the fibers of the composite material; matrix modulus, i.e., the modulus of elasticity of the matrix material of the composite material; coefficients of thermal expansions representative of each of the fiber and matrix materials; Poisson&#39;s ratios representative of each of the fiber and matrix materials; thicknesses or other geometric aspects of the fibers and/or the plies or layers of the composite material; a temperature of the composite material at which the material is strain-free; and critical strain invariants for the materials. See block  88 . These and other values stored in the basic materials database can be provided by the critical values calculator, by manual or automatic entry of values determined empirically such as by material tests, by manual or automatic entry of values determined theoretically, or by other methods.  
      The accelerated-life materials database  40  contains information that is generally representative of variations to the basic material properties, such as changes in the properties that can occur due to life conditions including the passage of time; exposure to environmental conditions such as humidity, static temperatures, or cyclic temperature variation; and physical loading characteristics including magnitude and frequency of loading. See block  96 . The data to be stored in the accelerated-life materials database  40  can be generated from test data that results from physical tests, i.e., accelerated-life materials tests, as indicated in  FIG. 4 . See block  104 . For example, the test data can include material names and associated values representative of the material properties of various materials that are tested under different conditions, such as after exposure to atmospheric conditions, loading, and the like. See block  102 .  
      The results of the material tests conducted for generating the data to be stored in the accelerated-life materials database  40  can be processed in the master curve generator module. See block  100 . In particular, the master curve generator module can generate master curves that incorporate modification factors to account for each of the life conditions of the materials. For example, the master curves can provide modification factors for modifying the critical strain invariants, Poisson&#39;s ratio, elastic moduli and coefficient of thermal expansion for each of various materials to adjust for life conditions such as age, exposure to temperatures, or exposure to loading. See block  98 . The master curve generator can calculate such modification factors and master curves, e.g., by extrapolating data from the life materials tests so that the master curve generator can generate modification factors and curve data for life conditions that have not been tested, such as long passages of time or exposure to specific and/or extreme temperature, humidity, or loading conditions. In some cases, these and other curves or values can be otherwise provided and stored in the accelerated-life materials database, e.g., by manual or automatic entry of values determined empirically such as by material tests, by manual or automatic entry of values determined theoretically, or by other methods. The accelerated-life materials database  40  and the basic materials database  38  can be provided by a single combined database in some embodiments.  
      Thus, the model generator module  32  and the materials handler module  34  are configured to provide data representative of a specific configuration and operative condition for a composite member, such that the data can be used to perform a modeling operation. In this regard, the model generator and the materials handler modules  32 ,  34  are configured to communicate the analysis data to an analysis module  42 . The analysis data typically includes information regarding the geometry, loading, displacement, temperature, and the like. See block  110 . The analysis data can include a schedule for each use condition, and each schedule can indicate the variation of one or more conditions over a specified period of time of use, such as a loading schedule that indicates intermittent loading or loading that is otherwise nonuniform over time. The analysis data can be provided by one or both of the model generator module  32  and the materials handler module  34 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the model generator module  32  can provide a portion of the analysis data, such as the data relating to the geometry, displacement, and temperature, while the materials handler module  34  can provide the remaining data, such as the material properties. See blocks  106 ,  108 . Alternatively, the data can be provided by other methods, such as by manual entry by a user or automated entry from another computer-based analysis tool. In any case, the data can be modified according to accelerated life values, such as the master curves generated by the master curve generator, to reflect changes in the material properties resulting from extended passages of time, exposure to particular environmental conditions, and the like.  
      The analysis data is communicated or otherwise provided to the analysis module  42 , which typically performs homogenized-material analysis of the analysis data. For example, the analysis module  42  can be any of various conventional computer software packages for performing finite element analysis, such as StressCheck available from ESRD, Inc, analysis programs available from ANSYS, Inc. of Canonsburg, Pa., or the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the analysis module  42  can include one or more types of analysis tools, such as a “h-element” finite element modeling package or a “p-element” finite element modeling package, which packages are known in the industry. See blocks  112 ,  114 . By “homogenized-material analysis,” it is meant that the analysis module models the composite member as having homogenized or uniform layers or portions, even though the actual composite member being modeled may be nonuniform within each layer or portion, e.g., including fibers, matrix materials, three-dimensional stitchings, and the like with distinct properties. See blocks  116 . The homogenized data typically includes the analysis data as well as a complete set of strain tensors (both mechanical, thermal, etc.) for all nodes or gauss points of each layer or ply of the composite member.  
      The analysis module  42  then passes the homogenized analysis data to the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44 . In addition, the analysis module  42  or the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  can also provide a visualization capability, e.g., by illustrating a graphical representation of the composite member, applied loads or other conditions, stresses and strains in the composite member resulting from the loads and conditions, failure points and modes, and the like. The graphical representation can be provided directly to the user on a video monitor such as a cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display of the input/output module  30 , such that the user can confirm the characteristics of the input model and conditions and/or iteratively modify the model or conditions.  
      The micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  receives the homogenized data and generates enhanced analysis data. See block  118 . In particular, the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  generates an enhanced set of strain tensors that reflects the interactive micromechanical behavior of the fiber and matrix of the composite material under the user-defined thermal boundary conditions. See block  120 . In addition, the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  generates an enhanced set of strain tensors that reflect the interactive micromechanical behavior of the fiber and matrix under the mechanical conditions necessary to initiate failure of the fiber or matrix. In particular, the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  determines the minimum conditions necessary for failure and the location of first failure. The enhanced analysis data communicated by the micro-mechanical enhancer analytical package module  44  typically includes the homogenized analysis data with the exception that the strain tensors (mechanical, thermal, etc.) are enhanced to reflect the interactive micro-mechanical behavior of the fiber and matrix materials. The strain tensors for the conditions determined to correspond to a failure initiation are also provided.  
      The enhancement factors used to generate enhanced analysis data for composite materials from homogenized data are determined through analysis of a representative volume of the composite material explicitly containing matrix and fiber materials of interest. The representative volume would typically include all the properties necessary to represent all the materials in the composite system in the composite member of interest; e.g., linear and tortional moduli of elasticity, coefficients of thermal expansion, Poisson&#39;s ratios, the volume fractions consisting of each material in the composite system, the directionality of any anisotropic materials, and the like. This representative volume can then be analyzed under loading conditions of interest, such as applied displacements, loads or both, and temperature changes, to determine the strain amplification at selected locations within the various material elements of the representative volume. These amplified strains at the selected locations in the various material elements of the representative volume under each loading condition corresponding the six tensoral strain states as well as the temperature changes, are then normalized and used as the micromechanical enhancement factors for the analysis. These factors are used to convert homogenized analysis data to enhanced analysis data by multiplying the homogenized strains by the enhancement factors for each location of interest in the composite system, e.g., inside the composite fibers and matrix material, to determine the enhanced strain values at each location of interest in the composite member.  
      The enhanced analysis data can be provided to a SIFT analysis module  48 , such as a maximum energy retention (MER) analysis module, which is configured to analyze the enhanced data to generate results data. See block  122 . The SIFT analysis module  48  receives the enhanced data for a plurality of gauss points within the structure of interest, and uses that data to evaluate equations 9-12 as described above. This module  48  evaluates the complete set of enhanced strains present at each location of interest in the fiber and compares the resulting strain invariants to the critical strain invariants to determine whether damage exists at a particular location within the composite member.  
      If analytical information regarding the progression, rather than simply the existence, of damage is desired, it is possible, to assess damage progression in an iterative or progressive manner. This requires a method for indicating the existence of damage in a particular location, and repeating the analysis with the existence of damage suitably accounted for. There are several possible methods for performing this type of iterative analysis, one of which is outlined in “Damage progression by the element-failure method (EFM) and strain invariant failure theory (SIFT),” by T. E. Tay, S. H. N. Tan, V. B. C. Tan, and J. H. Gosse, which is incorporated above.  
      The results of the analysis conducted in the SIFT analysis module  48  are output from the respective module as results data. See block  124 . The results data can be output to the user and/or the analysis module  42 , e.g., for storing as a data file or for use in generating a graphic representation of the results data using the graphic display capabilities of the analysis module  42 .  
      The results data can also be provided to the probabilistic module  50 . See block  126 . The probabilistic module  50  typically identifies the effects on the results data due to likely variations in the composite member that result from manufacturing, installation, and/or material variation. For example, the probabilistic module  50  can store or determine probabilistically likely variations in the material of the fiber and matrix phases of the composite member, variations in the amount or configuration of the fiber phase material, variations in the overall shape or configuration of the member, and the like. The probabilistic module  50  can then perform an analysis of the composite member, e.g., using the other analysis modules  42 ,  44 ,  46 , assuming the different probabilistically likely variations. Thus, the enhanced analysis data, and results data for each of these likely variations can be determined and stored. The probabilistic module  50  can use the enhanced analysis data to determine what load conditions are statistically most likely to result in failure initiation, the SIFT results data to determine what load conditions are statistically most likely to result in damage instability, or propagation, as well as the likely direction and/or path of damage instability or propagation when the likely variations are incorporated into the model. The output data from the probabilistic module  50  can be provided in analysis files, which can be stored and/or reported to the user via the input/output module  30 .  
      In some cases, the system  20  can be configured to automatically adjust an attribute of the modeled composite member and reanalyze the member accordingly. For example, upon calculation of the results data at block  124  or the output from the probabilistic module  50  at block  126 , the system  20  can automatically adjust the model data to reflect an adjustment to a dimension of the composite member, a material of the composite member, a geometric configuration of the member, or the like. Such adjustment is typically performed by the model generator  32  or one of the analysis modules  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  50 , or can be performed by another portion of the controller  22  or a separate device. The system can then return to block  80  for re-analysis of the composite member using the adjusted model data. Thus, the system  20  can be configured to iteratively analyze and adjust the model data until a set of model data is provided that achieves predetermined criteria such as minimum load capacity for given probabilistically likely variations and preferences for the model data such as weight or size criteria.  
      Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.