STATIC AND CYCLIC BIAXIAL BENDING OF CFRP PANELS

Biaxial bending of panel components is a loading situation which exist s in engineering structures. The behaviour of composite plates subject ed to biaxial flexing has yet to be studied in detail. In the present investigation, static and cyclic biaxial bending were applied to recta ngular carbon-fibre/epoxy-resin simply-supported laminated plates with three geometric aspect ratios. Series damage mechanism studies, mainl y by NDT methods, and mechanical property evaluations were carried out . It was found that various damage modes could occur below about 20% o f the ultimate load/deflection levels. This damage, mainly matrix crac ks and delamination, developed during fatigue. The amount of damage in dicated by the area of the damage zone was mainly dependent on the len d level, but not on the aspect ratios. Despite their low monotonic loa d-bearing ability, plates with a higher aspect ratio could have a high er resistance to biaxial bending fatigue.