Can simple estimates from neat polymers provide safe fatigue fracture design limits for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites?

Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

1.1 This test method describes the determination of the opening Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, GIc, of continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials using the double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen (Fig. 1). 1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites consisting of unidirectional carbon fiber and glass fiber tape laminates with brittle and tough single-phase polymer matrice...

Fatigue analysis of glass fiber reinforced composites

Some structure materials can match the flexibility and effectiveness of glass fiber Reinforced plastic, commonly called GFRP for short or simply fiberglass. Even it is very high strength, light weight, strong, and completely waterproof, it can be molded into free form shapes such as aerospace structures, and then also it has its endurance limits. Endurance limit means loss of strength and stiff...

Fracture Mechanics of Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Quantitative understanding of the parameters which control composite fracture is imperative to the implementation of fail safe design and inspection of critical load bearing structures. For isotropic materials, fracture is essentially controlled by a single parameter, e.g., the fracture toughness or the stress-intensity factor. This one dimensional nature lends itself to experimental quantifica...

Heating Methods and Detection Limits for Infrared Thermography Inspection of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Advanced Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites for Sustainable Civil Infrastructures

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are being promoted as the materials of 21st century because of their superior corrosion resistance, excellent thermo-mechanical properties, and high strength-to-weight ratio. For over 25 years, the Constructed Facilities Center at West Virginia University (CFC-WVU) has been conducting research on fundamentals of engineering and material sciences, innova...