• Thermo-mechanical stress
• composite structure
• sound

The current work is based on numerical simulations developed at Technische Universit¨at Dresden. Here, within the German STERN Programme, a student sounding rocket is created and then launched.
Since composite materials are more popular for aerospace applications nowa days, two new CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) parts have been analyzed to substitute aluminum components. This study is indeed focused on their contact with the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank and on the level of their consequent thermo-mechanical stress. In fact to maintain the propellant in its liquid phase, the vessel temperature has been fixed at a cryogenic level (-183◦C) making a high temperature gradient to arise.
To investigate the level of thermo-mechanical stresses in both structures, a deep mathematical approach is introduced and temperature effects thereby modeled. Finally, AnsysTM has been used to simulate the parts’ behavior under these violent conditions, while considering an adequate safety factor.
Its efficacy in simulating thermo-mechanical stresses is then discussed on the base of the obtained results.
To further prevent possible damages an insulator has been studied and its reliability proven, while considering the same constrains previously used.
Eventually a future test campaign has been designed to better evaluate real thermo-mechanical strains and stresses in both structures.