Uniform Loading of a Cracked Layered Composite Plate: Experiments and Computational Modelling

This paper examines the influence of a through c rack on the overall flexural behaviour of a layered composite Carbon Fibre Reinf orced Polymer (CFRP) plate that is fixed boundary along a circular boundary. Plates wi th different through crack configurations and subjected to uniform air pressur e loading are examined both experimentally and computationally. In particular, the effect of crack length and its orientation on the overall pressure-deflection beha viour of the composite plate is investigated. The layered composite CFRP plate used in the experimental investigation consisted of 11 layers of a polyester matrix unidir ectionally reinforced with carbon fibres. The bulk fibre volume fraction in the plate was app roximately 61%. The stacking of cracked laminae is used to construct a model of the plat . The experimental results for the central deflection of the plate were used to establ ish the validity of a computational approach that also accounts for large deflections o f the plate within the small strain range.

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