This $566,954 National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) grant will support fundamental research by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to improve understanding of fiber bundle failure mechanics for ultra-high reliability applications. The principal objectives are to: 1) understand how interactions between fibers determine a bundle's stress-strain response through deformation to fracture, and 2) identify the key driving mechanics leading to bundle failure. The project will utilize a novel modeling approach that combines experimental data and theory to numerically predict full bundle stress-strain behavior and distributions of load-strain characteristics. This will provide critical insights into fiber load sharing and bundle failure probabilities, benefiting applications like bridge cables, flexible body armor, and aerospace composites. The 5-year project will also engage students in the research, provide outreach to minority pre-college students, and present findings at professional conferences to broaden participation in STEM.
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