Delaminated Woven Fabric Composite Plates under Transverse Quasi-Static Loading: Experimental Studies

Abstract

Laminated composite plates are very sensitive to transverse loading because of weak interfaces between layers. During transverse loading, delamination can initiate and propagate at the interfaces. Also, in-plane failure of layers can initiate and grow further because of the in-plane stresses. Such damages can cause severe structural disintegration leading to a reduction in stiffness and strength. The delamination may be caused by manufacturing defects also. Such delamination can grow during service condition. Experimental studies have been carried out on the damage evolution in a typical plain weave fabric composite plate under transverse quasi-static loading. Studies have been carried out on composite plates with central artificial delamination of 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm diameter sizes, and also on undelaminated composite plates. Load-displacement behavior, damage evolution and damage sizes and damage shapes have been studied.