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Mechanical Characterization of Angle-Ply Composite Laminates by Differential Moiré Method: The Influence of Specimens' Length-to-Width Ratio

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Abstract

The influence exerted by the specimen proportions on the measured performance of angle-ply [+ 45°/− 45°]s composite laminates is studied. Three kinds of specimens are considered, having different length-to-width ratios, made with glass/epoxy unidirectional or fabric laminae. The static tensile characteristics are measured by means of load cells, electric strain gauges and through the Moiré fringes method. The strain fields are analysed and the effects of stress concentration at the laminate-free edges are evaluated, as well as their influence on the strain distribution and the measured strength and stiffness. The results are summarized as diagrams of ultimate load and elastic modulus versus length-to-width ratio of the different specimens investigated. These diagrams allow the designer to evaluate the influence exerted by specimen proportions on the measured performance, as well as to compare characteristics which are heterogeneous, as obtained with different kinds of specimen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale, Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa, 34, 20158, Milano, Italy

    Giuseppe Sala

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  1. Giuseppe Sala
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Sala, G. Mechanical Characterization of Angle-Ply Composite Laminates by Differential Moiré Method: The Influence of Specimens' Length-to-Width Ratio. Meccanica 35, 421–432 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010319911986

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010319911986

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