Mechanical properties of a glass reinforced plastic naval composite material under increasing compressive strain rates

This paper reports on the mechanical behaviour of a ship structure composit e, reinforced by glass fibres of type DF1400, under increasing compressive strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 10 s(-1). The constituents of the compos ites (reinforcing glass fibres and resin) were similar to those used in the shell and bulkhead structures of The Royal Australian Navy's minehunter sh ips. Experiments were carried out using a servo hydraulic testing machine a nd the application of loading was in the normal (through thickness) and in- plane orientation of the laminated specimens. Properties measured were ulti mate strength, elastic modulus and strain at ultimate strength. Post failur e analysis of specimens was carried out using optical microscopy in order t o understand failure mechanisms. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.