HIGH STRAIN RATE TESTING OF CO-CURED/Z-PINNED COMPOSITES IN MODE-I

摘要

A new test fixture was designed to enable the high strain rate testing of double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens and to improve high strain rate test techniques. Experimental and analytical investigations were performed on mode I high strain rate response of DCB specimens with and without (unreinforced) z-fibers. The new fixture enables to collect more reliable data for high strain rate response of composite materials in mode I. It can also be used for the high strain rate testing of end-notch-flexural (ENF) and T-section specimens. In addition to the high strain rate tests, static tests were also carried out to compare the high strain rate results with the controlled static test data. The proposed high strain rate testing methodology along with the newly developed high strain rate test fixture has yielded promising results.