Modelling and identification of temperature-dependent mechanical behaviour of the elementary ply in carbon/epoxy laminates

This paper develops, at the elementary-ply level, a model of the mechanical behaviour of continuous-fibre carbon/epoxy composite laminates subject to in-plane loads at temperatures in the range -120 to +120 degrees C. Attention is focused on the influence of temperature on the mechanical behavior for load intensities extending to material failure. Damage mechanisms are introduced via meso-damage variables associated with the softening of ply stiffness. Inelastic strains are accounted for through a plasticity model coupled with damage. A careful analysis of the influence of temperature shows that experiments performed at three suitably chosen temperatures are sufficient to yield a precise identification of the single layer model within the full temperature range. (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Limited