The Crush Performance of Composite Structures

Compression tests have been carried out on a range of composite structures made from a csm/polyester laminate. Geometries tested included truncated cones, slotted and sectioned round tubes, square tubes and flat plates. For cones and tubular specimens failure is by progressive crush absorbing relatively large amounts of energy. A trigger is necessary to initiate crush in tubular specimens, however cone failure is self triggering with crush commencing at the small end. Plate specimens failed by catastrophic splitting and buckling with minimal energy absorption. The inability of plate specimens to support stable crush is thought to be due to the lack of transverse restraining forces in the crush zone.