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A Numerical Study on Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Cylindrical Skirts for Solid Propeller Rockets
Ferdinando Baldieri1, Emanuele Martelli1, Aniello Riccio1
1Department of Engineering, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Roma 29, 81031 Aversa, Italy.
Polymers
|February 28, 2023
Summary
Researchers compared steel and carbon-fiber composite skirts for solid rocket motors (SRMs). The composite skirt demonstrated superior performance, offering a potential weight reduction for increased flight range.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Materials Science
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Solid rocket motors (SRMs) are crucial for space propulsion.
- Reducing SRM weight is key to enhancing flight range.
- The combustion chamber skirt is a potential area for weight optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural behavior of a cylindrical skirt under internal pressure and axial thrust.
- To compare the performance of a steel skirt with a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite skirt.
- To assess the viability of composite materials for SRM skirt applications.
Main Methods:
- Simulating the flowfield using an axisymmetric k-ω turbulence model.
- Modeling the carbon-fiber-reinforced composite skirt with a [90/0/45/-45]s layup using classical laminate theory.
- Applying Hashin's failure criteria for composite layer integrity and linearized buckling methods for buckling analysis.
Main Results:
- The study analyzed the structural response and buckling behavior of both steel and composite skirts.
- The composite skirt's performance was evaluated against a standard steel skirt under operational loads.
- Key performance metrics related to structural integrity and weight were compared.
Conclusions:
- Carbon-fiber-reinforced composite skirts present a viable alternative to traditional steel skirts.
- The use of composite materials can lead to significant weight reduction in solid rocket motors.
- This weight optimization has the potential to increase the overall flight range of SRM-powered vehicles.
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