Scaling of fracture response in over-height compact tension tests

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

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.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Nov 8, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 15, 2021
• Journal: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
• Print ISSN: 1359-835X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 69
• Pages: 40-48
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.11.002
• Keywords: A. Laminates; B. Fracture toughness; D. Mechanical testing; Scaling
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7094636
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Scaling of fracture response in Over-height Compact Tension tests; Journal Title: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.11.002; Content Type: article; Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.