Compression failure of laminated composites

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Compressive failure of fiber composites has been studied by many researchers, more so since the identification of these materials as potential candidates for use in aerospace structures around the early 1960s. The compressive strength of modern carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) is generally 30–40% lower than the tensile strength due to microbuckling of the load bearing fibers aligned with the loading direction. It is further reduced by the presence of fastener holes and cut-outs used for joints and access. Currently, the static notched compressive strength is a significant limiting property when designing composite aerospace structures on the basis of strength.

This chapter describes the application of a cohesive zone model to predict the notched or open-hole compressive (OHC) strength of carbon fiber/epoxy laminates and study the level-ply scaling or ply blocking effect on notch sensitivity. The usual strategy is to replace the inelastic deformation associated with plasticity or microbuckling with a line crack and to assume some form of stress–displacement (σ–δ) bridging law across the crack faces. Here a plastic fiber kinking analysis and a linear reduced (softening) σ–δ relationship are used for the prediction of the unnotched and OHC strength; input data required and assumptions or simplifications made (in relation to the damage mode assumed) in the analytical models are explained since they have an impact on predictions. It is shown that the theoretical results when compared to experimental observations and measurements are in a good agreement (in some cases they differ less than 5%).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComprehensive Composite Materials II
EditorsPeter W.R. Beaumont, Carl H. Zweben
Place of PublicationAmsterdam, The Netherlands
PublisherElsevier BV
Pages221-231
Number of pages11
Volume2
ISBN (Print)9780081005347
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • cohesive zone
  • compressive strength
  • damage
  • fiber microbuckling
  • fracture mechanics
  • laminates
  • modeling
  • open-hole compression
  • ply blocking
  • polymer composites
  • shear strength

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