External failure pressure of a frangible laminated composite canister cover

The static failure strength of a frangible laminated composite canister cover subjected to uniform external pressure is studied via both theoretical and experimental approaches. The frangible canister cover, which is fabricated with four plate-like laminated composite parts, which is designed in such a way that it will fail in a predetermined pattern when subjected to an impulsive internal pressure and its external failure pressure is much higher than its internal failure pressure. The stress distribution in the canister cover is determined using the ®nite element method and the failure of the cover identi®ed on the basis of an appropriate failure criterion. A number of laminated composite canister covers were fabricated and subjected to static external pressure testing. The failure modes of the frangible covers are studied and the experimental results are used to verify the theoretical predictions. Close agreements between the experimental and theoretical results have been observed. The present study shows that the design of frangible covers with external failure pressure much higher than the internal failure pressure can be achieved. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.