2004 Volume 47 Issue 4 Pages 1128-1132
Insect cuticle possesses excellent mechanical properties, such as strength, stiffness, fracture toughness, which are closely related to its elaborate microstructures optimized through millions of years’ evolution. SEM observation to the insect cuticle shows a particular distribution of fibers surrounding a hole in the insect cuticle, which is quite different from that in conventional man-made composites. In this paper the mechanism of such microstructure is analyzed. Making use of such microstructure, fiber-reinforcing laminate specimens containing preformed holes are designed and fabricated, the ultimate strength of which is investigated experimentally. For comparison, the ultimate strength of the fiber-reinforcing laminate specimens containing drilled holes is also tested. It shows that the ultimate strength of the laminates with preformed holes is distinctly higher than that with drilled-holes, and the difference increases as the hole diameter increases.
JSME international journal. Ser. 1, Solid mechanics, strength of materials
JSME international journal. Ser. A, Mechanics and material engineering
JSME international journal. Ser. 3, Vibration, control engineering, engineering for industry
JSME international journal. Ser. C, Dynamics, control, robotics, design and manufacturing
JSME International Journal Series A Solid Mechanics and Material Engineering
JSME International Journal Series B Fluids and Thermal Engineering