Structural analysis and experimental strain measurement of T700/epoxy composite solid rocket motor casings
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https://doi.org/10.54939/1859-1043.j.mst.FMC.2026.53-60Keywords:
Measuring stress and strain of composite motor casings; Critical locations of the casing.Abstract
Filament-wound composite casings are widely used in solid rocket motors because of their high specific strength and superior pressure resistance. This study presents a casing design method based on the geodesic winding technique and applies it to a solid rocket motor casing made of T700 carbon fiber/epoxy composite, designed to operate at a maximum pressure of 12 MPa. The mechanical properties of the composite material were experimentally determined and used as the basis for the design calculations. Strain responses under internal pressure loading were measured using strain gauges aligned with the fiber reinforcement directions. Experimental results showed good agreement with analytical predictions for stress and strain distributions, and the critical load-bearing regions of the structure were accurately identified. Based on the validated design methodology, a motor casing employing the propellant grain as the winding mandrel was manufactured and successfully tested in a static firing experiment. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of filament-winding technology for the design and manufacture of composite solid rocket motors in Vietnam.
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