Elastic response of a typical CFRP payload fairing due to separation impulse

A finite element study is carried out for assessing the elastic displacement response of a typical CFRP payload fairing due to separation impulse. Different stacking sequences for the CFRP laminates are considered and their influence on the displacement response studied. Lanczos method is used for eigenvalue analysis and mode superposition method for the response study. The effect of the elastic response on the radial gap is also studied. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.