Investigation of anisotropy effects in glass fibre reinforced polymer composites on tensile and shear properties using full field strain measurement and finite element multi-scale techniques

Designing highly stressed offshore renewable energy composite structures (e.g. wind and tidal turbine blades) necessitates characterisation of woven fabric under off axial loading. In this work a combined method finite element analysis, digital image correlation microscopy is used to assess the effect ply orientation on tensile/shear properties failure modes glass fibre reinforced polymer composites. Full field strain maps obtained by were evaluate damage development inhomogeneity localisation. The models mechanical test specimens based analysis micro-mechanical representative volume elements using homogenisation technique in order calculate effective orthotropic properties. agreement between numerically experimentally calculated strains elastic regimes indicates that stress conducted numerical methods useful when characterising behaviour. Strain measurement indicated there strong relationship distribution microstructure/ply orientation. addition, it was found levels localised tensile are higher than global indicating structural heterogeneity material. Finally, microstructural tension shear showed main de-bonded fibres, pull out, in-plane/inter-laminar cracks delamination.