Nonlinear Dynamic Response of Composite Rotor Blades

This report summarizes research related to nonlinear dynamic response of composite rotor blades. Fundamental to the analysis is the development of a continuum formulation that can accurately account for the effects of interlaminar shear and interlaminar normal stress variation thru-the-thickness of a laminate. Technical highlights of the research efforts to date are presented for each of the proposed tasks--namely, Nonlinear displacement formulation for composite media, Incorporate damage mechanisms into dynamic response formulation, and correlation of formulated response model with experimental data.