Victor Gaultier


Last Name

Gaultier

First Name

Victor

ORCID

0009-0006-0723-2076

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2024 - 20252
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Publications 1 - 2 of 2
  • Towards the realization of composite metastructures: A failure analysis of connections
    Item type: Journal Article
    Gaultier, Victor; Pappas, Georgios A. (2024)
    Materials & Design
    Metastructures hold significant potential for applications such as adaptive structures and soft robotics. Architectures of fiber-reinforced polymer metastructures may relate to modular arrangement of straight and curved laminates, with their connections to resemble perfect cracks, thus susceptible to delamination. This study investigated geometrical effects on the load-carrying capabilities of these connections upon a global tensile deformation, as well as lean modeling tools to facilitate the development of architected composite metastructures. Numerical fracture mechanics approach on different connection geometries and thicknesses showed that connection delamination is a critical failure mode, but crack-driving-force has low dependence on connection shape for given ligament thickness (and stiffness). Adopted analytical models could capture either moment or force-driven delamination failure, while the intermediate regime necessitates numerical tools. First-ply failure may precede depending on shape and ligament stiffness. These trends were also verified on an exemplary rotating chiral composite geometry. Furthermore, interface load-carrying capability improvements were studied via design considerations including connection filler material and element variable thickness. Indicatively, the latter showed a 157 % increase in bending deflection (and global deformations), while reducing crack driving force by 38 % for a given load case. The conducted analysis offers valuable insights into the design of lightweight, load-carrying composite metastructures.
  • Robust and versatile metastructures’ manufacturing through fusion-bonding of thermoplastic composites
    Item type: Journal Article
    Gaultier, Victor; Pappas, Georgios A.; Ermanni, Paolo (2025)
    Composites Part B: Engineering
    Fiber-reinforced polymer metastructures, owing to their architectures and material properties, yield unique deformation schemes and load-bearing capabilities. Currently, the prevailing fabrication route of such structures relies on complex tooling to shape and consolidate thermoset-based composites. This study investigates the potential of fusion-bonding thermoplastic-based composites to reduce manufacturing's complexity of composite metastructures, expanding the design freedom, without compromising the load-carrying capabilities. To this end, a welding device specifically developed for the realization of composite metastructures is introduced. A parametric study on mode I fracture toughness at initiation was conducted to determine an ideal processing window. This analysis showed that dual polymer welding approach is key to reduce laminates' distortion, also providing welds with a mode I peeling toughness of 2.1 ± 0.1 kJ/m², a property very close to the one obtained via consolidation, with minor reduction (∼15 %) when curved laminates are welded. The potential of the technique is further showcased by two metastructure modules: a two-dimensional rotating chiral and a three-dimensional structure with compression-twist coupling, successfully manufactured and mechanically evaluated until failure. Furthermore, the demonstrators exhibit a remarkable resilience and showcase the reduction of manufacturing complexity resulting in an expansion of design freedom. The results highlight the potential of the fusion-bonding approach to create lightweight metastructures with high mechanical performance, paving the way for innovative applications in aerospace, automotive, and beyond.
Publications 1 - 2 of 2