Axisymmetrical Stress and Strength Analyses of Epoxy-Steel Composite Cylinders under Push-off Loads

Abstract

The interface stress distributions in composite cylinders of steel (solid cylinder) and epoxy (hollow cylinder) under push-off loads are analyzed using axisymmetrical theory of elasticity as a three-body contact problem. In the numerical calculations, the effects of Young’s modulus and the diameter of solid cylinder on the interface stress distribution are examined. In addition, the effects of the diameter of supported hollow cylinder and the stress distribution due to the applied push-off loads are also examined. It is found that the normal stress at the interfaces increases as Young’s modulus of solid cylinder decreases, the diameter of solid cylinder and the diameter of supported hollow cylinder increase. It is also found that the shear stress at the interfaces increases as the diameter of supported hollow cylinder increases, Young’s modulus and the diameter of solid cylinder decrease. Singular stresses occur at the edges of the interfaces. A valid method for estimating the singularity is proposed and the discussion is made. Using the interfaces stresses obtained from the numerical analysis and analogous tests, the push-off strength of composite cylinders is estimated. The experiments to measure composite cylinders strength are carried out. It is seen that a rupture initiates at the lower edge of the interface area when the push-off loads are applied to the upper end of solid cylinder. For verification of the present analysis of the interface stress distributions, finite-element method (FEM) is also carried out. The numerical results of the interface stress distributions and the strength are in fairly good agreement with the experimental results and the FEM results. The axisymmetrical theory of elasticity is more rational compared to the shear lag theory in examining the stress singularity and considering the normal stress and shear stress at the interfaces at the same time. Finally, as an example, it is observed that the weight of composite cylinders is lighter by 48.1% than that of the structure with the same of steel material for obtaining the same strength.