The effect of transverse compressive stresses on tensile failure of carbon fibre/epoxy composites

A novel test configuration has been developed to induce combined stress-states of in-plane longitudinal tension and transverse compression in thin-ply, unidirectional (UD) composite layers. Three different multi-directional laminates have designed incorporating UD carbon/epoxy plies embedded angle-ply blocks the same material. The scissoring deformation induces central layers when is strained 0° fibre direction. amount compressive stress was estimated from measured surface strain be up about 140 MPa. Negligible effect found on tensile failure despite very high strains generated laminates. These were much higher than those typically attained laminates, exceeding at which would occur any 90° plies. results this study suggest that practice direction unlikely significantly affected by stresses.