Case Study: University of California, Irvine validates composite bond testing with MSC Nastran

MSC Nastran Helps Perfect New Nondestructive Testing Method for Adhesive Bonded Composites

At the University of California, Irvine, researchers were studying a nondestructive way to detect weak adhesive bonds, or kiss bonds, in composite laminate panels. Conventional inspection methods could not reliably find these defects, and physical testing alone was expensive and time-consuming because building many test panels could cost thousands of dollars.

Using MSC Software’s MSC Nastran and Patran, the team simulated quantitative percussion testing with an implicit nonlinear solver to model impact behavior in bonded composite panels. The simulations closely matched physical experiments, with predicted maximum force values near 7 N, and helped validate the method while reducing the need for costly test panels and manufacturing-related errors.

University of California, Irvine

Scott Povermo

Researcher