Numerical and experimental approach for improving quasi-static and fatigue testing of a unidirectional CFRP composite laminate

Fabrizio Pagano (1, 2) , Pascal Paulmier (3) , Myriam Kaminski (3) , Alain Thionnet (2)

1 ONERA
2 MAT - Centre des Matériaux
3 ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab [Châtillon]

Mechanical response of CFRP unidirectional prepreg was investigated under tensile quasi-static and fatigue loading. Firstly, the findings of an initial investigation on the effects of the end tabs and gripping condition are presented. A dialogue between numerical simulations and experimental tests led to avoid premature splitting failures in the clamps. Proper tensile failure is assessed in the gage length, at enhanced strength levels for the material considered. Consequently, the unidirectional material was successfully tested under tension-tension fatigue, at high load levels. Fatigue damage mechanisms arise at high stress amplitude, revealing that also a UD laminate can suffer from fatigue degradation along the fibres direction.

Mots clés: CFRP composites; mechanical testing; tensile strenght; stress concentration; gripping pressure; fatigue

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]; Mécanique [physics.med-ph]; Mécanique des matériaux [physics.class-ph]

Fabrizio Pagano, Pascal Paulmier, Myriam Kaminski, Alain Thionnet. Numerical and experimental approach for improving quasi-static and fatigue testing of a unidirectional CFRP composite laminate. Procedia Engineering, 2018, 7th International Conference on Fatigue Design, Fatigue Design 2017, 29-30 November 2017, Senlis, France, 213, pp.804-815. ⟨10.1016/j.proeng.2018.02.076⟩. ⟨hal-01758746⟩