Abstract
The application of Z-pinning is a subject of great interest in the field of through-thickness reinforcement (TTR) of composite laminates. To date, the majority of Z-pin characterisation work has been conducted on fracture coupons containing a single embedded delamination, which is often not representative of real failure of reinforced composite structures in service. In this investigation a test procedure to produce two independent Mode II delaminations was developed to analyse their interaction with a region of Z-pin reinforcement. Initially numerical models were used to optimise the chosen configuration. Experimental results show in detail the response of Z-pins to two independent delaminations. These results highlight the ability of the Z-pins to effectively arrest mode II delaminations at multiple levels through the sample thickness. Additionally they provide a much needed data set for validation and verification of Z-pin numerical modelling tools.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1363-1372 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Experimental Mechanics |
Volume | 56 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 31 May 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2016 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Bristol Composites Institute ACCIS
- Composites UTC
Keywords
- CFRP
- Composite
- Mode II
- Multiple delaminations
- Through thickness reinforcement
- Z-pin