Effects of the intralaminar shear loading rate on the damage of multi-ply composites

It is well known that the specific absorption energy of structural elements based on composite materials is higher than those made of steel. However, this capacity may be limited due to localized damage mechanisms, inducing premature failure. Intralaminar shear is one of such mechanisms and is investigated here in a broad range of strain rates using tensile specimens made of E Glass/Epoxy (+/- 45), crossply laminate. Several interrupted dynamic tensile tests were performed thanks to modifications in a servo-hydraulic testing machine and in a tensile split Hopkinson bar. The damage caused by shear is investigated under the damage mechanics frame, permitting access to the influence of the strain rate on damage threshold and damage propagation rate. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.