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H. A. Whitworth, D.Sc.
Professor and Chair
Phone: 202-806- 6600
Email: hwhitworth@howard.edu
Research Topics
Analytical and experimental characterization of the fatigue behavior of fiber reinforced composites; evaluation of damage development in composites; stress concentration, failure modes and strength analysis.
Summary of Recent Research
Joining by mechanical fasteners is common practice in the assembly of structures and the applications of composite materials in many structural designs have led to extensive research aimed at developing an understanding of the sensitivity of composite structures to the presence of holes and inclusions. Current research efforts involve using the point stress criterion in conjunction with characteristic curve models and two-dimensional stress analysis to evaluate the stress distribution around fastener holes. Stress calculations are based on the analytical method of complex stress functions and numerical approaches used to satisfy the displacement boundary conditions of the contact area between the pin and the hole. Conditions for failure can then be determined with the aid of an appropriate failure criterion.
Recent Publications
Whitworth, H.A. and Mahase, H., “Failure of Composite Plates Containing Circular Openings,” Composites Structures, Vol. 46, No. 1, 1999.
Whitworth, H.A. and Mahase, H., “Stress Concentration in Graphite/Epoxy Laminates Containing a Circular Hole,” Journal of Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1999.
Whitworth, H.A., “Evaluation of the Residual Strength Degradation in Composite Laminates Under Fatigue Loading,” Composite Structures, Vol. 48, No. 2, 2000.
Whitworth, H.A, Othieno, M. and Barton, O., “Failure Analysis of Composite Pin Loaded Joints,” Composite Structures, Vol. 59, 2003.
Whitworth, H.A., Bendidi, R., Marzougui, D. and Reiss, R., “Finite Element Modeling of the Crash Performance of Roadside Barriers,” International Journal of Crashworthiness, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2004.
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