Dynamic testing of fibre polymer matrix composite plates under in-plane compression

Experimental investigations of the failure strength of fibre reinforced pol ymer matrix composite plates under compressive impact loading is presented in this paper. A split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is used to measure the se properties. The specimen being a plate, its cross-sectional area is smal l compared with the area of the bars and the failure strength is weak. One has to then use low impedance bars made of a viscoelastic material. Subsequ ent experimental problems, such as dispersion corrections in viscoelastic b ars, are analysed. One also has to use a special anti-buckling device to pr event the overall buckling of the specimen. It is shown that the presented SHPB system provides a precise measurement of forces and displacements at b oth ends of the specimen. A special attention is then given to the analysis of the test, especially in situations where a non-homogeneous state of str ess in the specimen in observed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.