Measurement and modelling of interlaminar shear strength enhancement under moderate through-thickness compression

Khong Wui Gan, Stephen R. Hallett*, Michael R. Wisnom

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Interaction between compressive through-thickness stress and out-of-plane shear can enhance the shear stress at which delaminations initiate in composite materials and components. In complex loading situations this may become significant, either resulting in an under prediction of strength if it is not taken into account or even a failure to predict the correct failure mode. This effect is investigated experimentally, analytically and numerically in this work. A symmetric version of the double-notch shear test is proposed for direct measurement of the interlaminar shear strength under moderate through-thickness compression. The test has successfully measured shear strength enhancement under increasing through-thickness compression. A range of failure criteria presented in the literature has been compared to the results obtained. Finally the tests have been modelled using finite element analysis. User defined interface elements which take account of the effect of compression enhancement allow the experimental results to be accurately predicted. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18-25
Number of pages8
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume49
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

Research Groups and Themes

  • Composites UTC

Keywords

  • CRITERIA
  • Strength
  • Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
  • Finite element analysis (FEA)
  • FIBER COMPOSITES
  • FAILURE ANALYSIS
  • PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODELS

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