Predicting notched tensile strength of full-scale composite structures from small coupons using fracture mechanics

Xu, Xiaodong; Takeda, Shin-ichi; Aoki, Yuichiro; Hallett, Stephen R.; Wisnom, Michael R.

Abstract

The initial fracture propagation within a full-scale stiffened quasi-isotropic composite panel and coupons with stringer feet under tensile loads was investigated. The specimens were made from Non-Crimp Fabric through Vacuum assisted Resin Transfer Moulding. The failure loads of all configurations were successfully related using the same value of trans-laminar fracture energy. The method involved independent tests of scaled-down Over-height Compact Tension specimens and the Virtual Crack Closure Technique. It was found to be crucial to include the fully developed damage process zone in the crack length and to interpret the results carefully in order to identify the failure loads consistently.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 9, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 10, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 15, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 15, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 17, 2021
• Journal: Composite Structures
• Print ISSN: 0263-8223
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 180
• Pages: 386-394
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.08.026
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7094476
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Predicting notched tensile strength of full-scale composite structures from small coupons using fracture mechanics; Journal Title: Composite Structures; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.08.026; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.