SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1977
STP26933S

An Experimental Study of the Fracture Behavior of Laminated Graphite/Epoxy Composites

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The results of an experimental investigation on the fracture behavior of unidirectional and multidirectional laminated graphite/epoxy composites is reported. Critical tensile fracture stresses for constant head rate uniaxial specimens containing single-edge notches, double-edge notches, and centrally located circular holes are presented. Results are reported for loads and notches at various angles to the fiber direction(s). Evidence of notch sensitivity and stable crack growth is presented. Self-similar crack growth is shown to occur for only a limited set of circumstances.

Critical stresses are compared to the theories of Waddoups et al and Whitney et al. These comparisons are presented using isotropic and orthotropic stress concentration factors together with a finite width correction factor. The results tend to show that use of only isotropic correction factors allow good correlation between theory and experiment.

Author Information

Brinson, HF
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
Yeow, YT
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
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Details
Developed by Committee: D30
Pages: 18–38
DOI: 10.1520/STP26933S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4690-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-4490-3