MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PULTRUDED LAMINATES AND SHAPES

This paper discusses the material characterization of wide flange pult ruded structural shapes (E-glass, Vinylester). The material was subjec ted to three loading conditions: tension, shear, and bending. Coupon s amples were obtained from web and flanges of the I-section for tension and shear tests. Tensile properties were obtained from rectangular co upons with end tabs loaded in tension to failure. Shear properties wer e obtained from two different test methods: Iosipescu shear test metho d and torsion of rectangular samples. Experimentally determined materi al properties were compared to analytical predictions based on micro a nd macromechanics. Micromechanical models are used for the prediction of individual laminae (roving layers, continuous strand mat, nexus vei ls) properties. Classical lamination theory (CLT) is then used to pred ict the laminate properties. In addition, I-beams were tested in bendi ng to evaluate their response and the experimental results were compar ed to predictions using Mechanics of Laminated Beams (MLB) approach. R esults indicate a good correlation between experimental data and theor etical predictions, showing that the properties of pultruded composite s can be predicted with sufficient accuracy. The superiority of the to rsion test for determination of in-plane shear stiffness is demonstrat ed.