GENOA-PFA, marketed currently by Alpha Star Corporation, is an enhanced commercial version of the Composite Durability Structural Analysis (CODSTRAN) computer program that was originally developed in-house at NASA Glenn Research Center specifically for polymer-matrix composite structures. Alpha Star Corporation and the University of Clarkson have made substantial developments to the code under the NASA Small Business Innovation Research and University Grant support. The code won the NASA Software of the year award in 1999 and was given the 2000 R&D 100 Award. The current GENOA-PFA can simulate the initiation and progression of damage, ultimately leading to global fracture in advanced composite structures under various loading and environmental conditions. It offers a number of capabilities beyond those of programs developed previously for similar purposes; these capabilities make GENOA-PFA preferable for use in analyzing the durability and damage tolerance of complex aero and space structures that have fiber reinforcements formed as two- and even three-dimensional weaves and braids.
GENOA-PFA implements a progressive-fracture methodology, the basic concept of which is that a structure fails when flaws that may initially be small (even microscopic) grow and/or coalesce to a critical dimension such that the structure no longer has an adequate safety margin to avoid catastrophic global fracture. Damage is considered to progress throughfive stages:
The computational simulation of progressive failure involves formal procedures for identifying the five different stages of damage at each stage and relating the amount of damage at each stage to the overall behavior of the deteriorating structure. Typical applications of GENOA are shown in the accompanying figures.
Some of the salient features of GENOA-PFA software follow:
Over 20 customers from industry, academia, and Government agencies nationwide utilize GENOA for the durability and life analysis of advanced composite structures. Some of the selected industry users are Boeing, Rockwell Aerospace, AlliedSignal, and McDonnell Douglas. University users include Case Western Reserve University, Clarkson University, and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Government agency users include NASA and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
GENOA-PFA graphical user interface showing a simulation of composite damage and fracture propagation via CODSTRAN. Act 3 stringer composite wing panel.
GENOA-PFA graphical user interface showing a simulation of composite damage and fracture propagation via CODSTRAN. Airborne laser reactor housing.
Chamis, C.C.; Murthy, P.L.N.; and Minnetyan, L.: Progressive Fracture of Polymer Matrix Composite Structures. Theoret. Applied Fracture Mechan., vol. 25, no. 1, 1996, pp. 1-15.
Huang, Dade: GENOA Progressive Failure Analysis Program: Computational Simulation of Three-Dimensional Fiber Reinforced Composites. Vol. 1--Theoretical Manual, Alpha STAR Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, 1998.
GENOA Progressive Failure Analysis Module for 2D/3D Laminate/Woven/Braided/Stitched Polymer Matrix Composites, User's Manual, ver. 7.0, Alpha Star Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Glenn contacts: Dr. Pappu L.N. Murthy, 216-433-3332, Pappu.L.Murthy@grc.nasa.gov; and Dr. Christos C. Chamis, 216-433-3252, Christos.C.Chamis@grc.nasa.gov
Author: Dr. Pappu L.N. Murthy
Headquarters program office: OAT
Programs/Projects: Base R&T
Special recognition: 2000 R&D 100 Award and 1999 NASA Software of the Year Award
Last updated July 2, 2001, by Nancy.L.Obryan@nasa.gov
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