Scaling of fracture response in Over-height Compact Tension tests

Xiaodong Xu*, Michael R. Wisnom, Yusuf Mahadik, Stephen R. Hallett

*Corresponding author for this work

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

33 Citations (Scopus)
711 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

An experimental investigation into in-plane scaled Over-height Compact Tension (OCT) [45/90/-45/0]4s carbon/epoxy laminates was carried out to study the scaling of fracture response. The dimensions of the baseline specimens were scaled up and down by a factor of 2. Interrupted tests were carried out for specimens of each size in which the tests were stopped after certain load drops in order to study the failure mechanisms. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scanning was applied after the interrupted tests to examine the damage development and its effect on the fracture response. The test results showed that the scaling of the initial propagation of fracture follows Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), but the development of the damage process zone differs with specimen sizes. The OCT specimens were found to be not large enough to generate a self-similar damage zone during propagation, and so no conclusions could be drawn regarding the R-curve effect.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-48
Number of pages9
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume69
Early online date8 Nov 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2015

Keywords

  • A. Laminates
  • B. Fracture toughness
  • D. Mechanical testing
  • Scaling

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