Open Access
Greenstick fracture in composite pultruded rods
(Elsevier, 2017) Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
The paper analyses the greenstick fracture mode on anisotropic beams subjected to flexural loading. This fracture mode can be seen in plant branches, young mammal bones or reinforced plastic rods. Two analytical models have been studied: a straight beam model and a uniform curved beam model. Circumferential normal stress distribution has been determined considering the classical beam theory, and radial and shear stresses have been predicted by using the Airy's stress function. Experimental work has been implemented on initially straight pultruded rods with longitudinally oriented fibres. Three and four-point bending tests adopting several span-to-diameter ratios have been performed. Experimental conditions that promote a greenstick fracture mode in composite pultruded rods have been considered.
Open Access
In-plane shear behaviour of multiscale hybrid composites based on multiwall carbon nanotubes and long carbon fibres
(SAGE, 2015) Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Ramos, José Ángel; Gracia, Juan de; Ibarretxe, Julen; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Both in-plane shear modulus and in-plane shear strength of multiscale hybrid composites have been studied. Carbon fibre-based laminates have been fabricated including functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes by means of solvent spraying method and hot compression process. Mechanical in-plane shear characterization has been carried out using off-axis three-point flexure test. Fibre volume fraction of multiscale hybrid composites has been determined through thermogravimetric analysis and fracture surfaces after testing have been imaged by scanning electron microscopy. Results reveal that the inclusion of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes on laminates has a small influence on in-plane shear modulus, although it increases up to 15% of the in-plane shear strength. Multiwall carbon nanotube functionalization improves shear stress transmission between matrix and carbon nanotubes, which represents a reinforcement effect responsible for the increase in in-plane shear strength. Scanning electron micrographs have confirmed in-plane shear tests results.
Open Access
Determination of in-plane shear properties by three-point flexure test of ±45° anti-symmetric laminates
(Elsevier, 2011) Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
The aim of this work is to propose a new method for determining both the in-plane shear modulus and the in-plane shear strength of composite materials by using three-point flexure tests on [±45] angle-ply laminates. Symmetric and anti-symmetric configurations have been analysed by Classical Laminated Plate Theory. The anti-symmetric configuration has been considered more suitable than the symmetric one, due to the absence of bending/twisting coupling effects. Three-point bending tests have been performed on [±45] anti-symmetric laminates of AS4/8552 carbon/epoxy material. Experimental results obtained by flexure tests in anti-symmetric laminates agree with the values attained by tensile tests on symmetric laminates, and with values reported in literature. Experimental conditions for determining in-plane shear properties by using the anti-symmetric three-point bending method are recommended.
Open Access
Analysis of thermal stresses in unsymmetric cross-ply composite strips
(SAGE, 2008) Carbajal, N.; Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Arrese, A.; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
An approach based on the hypotheses of the classical beam theory for determining thermal stresses in unsymmetric cross-ply strips has been developed. The material behavior is considered linear elastic, and viscoelastic effects are not considered. By supposing linear strain distribution in the cross-sections, the position of the neutral axis, the radius of curvature and the distribution of thermal stresses have been determined. The analysis is valid in the case of large displacements, since the curvature is constant and the deformed shape is an arc of circumference. Five different lay-up configurations of strip geometry specimens have been used for experimental verification. Mid-point deflections have been measured and compared with theoretical values, applying both the proposed approach and the classical laminated plates theory.
Open Access
Determination of in-plane shear strength of unidirectional composite materials using the off-axis three-point flexure and off-axis tensile tests
(SAGE, 2010) Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
The aim of this work is to compare from an experimental point of view the determination of in-plane shear strength of unidirectional composite materials by means of two off-axis tests: three-point flexure and tensile. In the case of the off-axis three-point flexure test, the condition of small displacements and the condition of lift-off between the specimen and the fixture supports have been taken into account. Some considerations regarding stress and displacement fields are presented. The in-plane shear characterization has been performed on a carbon fiber reinforced unidirectional laminate with several fiber orientation angles: 10°, 20°, 30°, and 45°. Test conditions for both off-axis experimental methods, in order to ensure their applicability, are presented. Off-axis flexure test is considered more suitable than off-axis tensile test for the determination of in-plane shear strength.
Open Access
Analysis of in-plane and out-of-plane thermo-mechanical stresses in un-symmetric cross-ply curved laminated strips
(SAGE, 2009) Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Arrese, A.; Carbajal, N.; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
A new approach for determining in-plane and out-of-plane stresses due to thermal and mechanical loading, in un-symmetric [0n/90 m] cross-ply curved laminated strips is presented in this work. This approach can also be applicable to bi-modulus curved laminated strips. Predictions of curvatures, displacements, and stresses based on the superposition principle are carried out. In-plane stresses are calculated considering classical beam theory. In addition, out-of-plane stresses are predicted by using the Airy¿s stress function in polar coordinates. The new approach satisfies the continuity conditions at the interface between 0° and 90° layers. Results show that in-plane and out-of-plane stresses are particularly sensitive to the thickness ratio and to geometric conditions. Finally, thermo-mechanical predictions have revealed that out-of-plane stresses are much lesser than in-plane stresses for initially flat laminates. For laminates with high imposed curvatures out-of-plane stresses are high, leading to delamination failure.
Open Access
A new method for determining mode II R-curve by the End-Notched Flexure test
(Elsevier, 2010-01-01) Arrese, A.; Carbajal, N.; Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Mujika, Faustino; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
A new method for obtaining the mode II R-curve in a End-Notched Flexure test is proposed in the present work. New compliance and energy release rate equations have been derived incorporating shear, local deformation and bending rotation effects. Mode II R-curve, which represents energy release rate as a function of crack extension, is obtained without optical determination of crack tip position. Crack length and energy release rate are determined at each point of the test based on experimental compliance until unstable advance occurs. In order to confirm the theoretical models, unidirectional carbon/epoxy specimens have been tested. Experimental data are evaluated by means of two reduction schemes: an existing data method named Corrected Beam Theory with effective crack length and the new method named Beam Theory including Bending Rotation effects. Shear and local deformation effects are included in both reduction schemes. Results concerning the determination of crack length without crack advance and during stable crack propagation are presented. The agreement between experimental values and theoretical results obtained by the new approach is excellent. Based on the accurate crack length determination at each point of the test, energy release rate is determined point to point and therefore R-curve is obtained.
Open Access
Analysis of a reversible five-point bending configuration based on a novel two-sense support
(Elsevier, 2015) Mujika, Faustino; Asensio, M.; Vargas Silva, Gustavo Adolfo; Boyano, J.; Gracia, Juan de; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
A novel two-sense support for flexural tests has been designed and manufactured in Ikerlan. The aim of this support is to do two-sense bending fatigue tests. In order to reduce the displacement corresponding to a given stress, a novel test configuration, designated as five-point bending, is modelled analytically. Basically, it is a three-point configuration with two supports at the ends that exert forces in the same sense as the applied load. In this way, a partial clamping is obtained that can be modelled by concentrated loads. The model has been checked carrying out quasi-static three-point and five-point bending tests at different spans in unidirectional carbon/epoxy composite specimens. Flexural modulus and the out-of-plane shear modulus have been obtained by linear regression in both cases, after having obtained experimentally the stiffness of the system.