Analysis of shear test methods for composite laminates

An elastic plane stress finite element analysis of the stress distributions in four flat test specimens for in-plane shear response of composite materials subjected to mechanical or thermal loads is presented. The shear test specimens investigated include: slotted coupon, cross beam, Iosipescu, and rail shear. Results are presented in the form of normalized stress contour plots for all three in-plane stress components. The slotted specimen is studied for three graphite-epoxy laminates ([0], [90], [±45]_S); the cross beam is studied for two graphite-epoxy laminates ([0/90]_S, [±45]_S); the Iosipescu and rail shear specimens are studied with several materials (steel, graphite-epoxy, and graphite-polyimide) and several laminates ([0], [90], [0/90]_S, [±45]_S, [0/90/±45]_S) with rigid and elastic fixtures loaded mechanically or thermally. Geometric alterations are also investigated. The study shows that the cross beam, Iosipescu, and rail shear specimens have stress distributions which are more than adequate for determining linear shear behavior of composite materials. Laminate properties, core effects, and fixture configurations are among the factors which were found to influence the stress distributions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering Mechanics

Department dc:contributor.department

Engineering Mechanics

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1977

Author dc:creator

• Bergner, Henry William

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54855

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54855