STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS OF FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTIC PLATES

The results of tests to failure of 34 rectangular fibre-reinforced pla stic panels are presented, All panels were subjected to uniform transv erse pressure loading and were restrained at the edges against inplane movement and rotation, The tests show the influence of fabrication te chnique, reinforcement lay-up and aspect ratio on strength and stiffne ss, The panels were all thin and, after initial bending, acted as memb ranes to carry the applied loading, It is shown that the distribution of the reinforcement is particularly influential on the stiffness and strength, The failure of the panels always occurred at the edges and w as a combination of resin cracking caused by tensile stress and transv erse shear stress which cut the reinforcement. The details of the fail ure mechanism depended on the lay-up and type of reinforcement. Possib le design curves for FRP panels, based on deflection and strain parame ters, are suggested.