Material Damping as a Means of Quantifying Fatigue Damage in Composites

摘要

The purpose of this study was to experimentally investigate the feasibility of quantifying damage in composites in terms of their damping characteristics. Bending fatigue tests were performed on ((0/+ or - 45/90)sub s)2 T300/5208 graphite-epoxy composite specimens. Testing was performed by exciting a cantilever beam so as to maintain a constant amplitude at resonance. Results indicate that the amount of damage occurring in this composite can be explained in terms of an increase in its material damping. The resonant frequency (stiffness) was found to decrease as the material damage increased. (Author)