Experimental analysis of the effects of wrinkles in the radius of curvature of L-shaped carbon-epoxy specimens on unfolding failure

An experimental study has been carried out to describe the evolution of failure load relative maximum misalignment angle curved carbon–epoxy laminates with out-of-plane wrinkle defects for a large range misalignments. L-angle specimens different levels fibre wrinkling were manufactured and tested in four-point bending tests. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) infrared thermography used monitor They allowed stress concentrations induced by wrinkles be identified, together their influences on sample. In most cases, increases led decreases loads.