The use of a three-point support flexural test to predict the stiffness of anis...

• Author(s): Nunes, J. P. ; Pouzada, A. S. ; Bernardo, C. A.
• Date: 2002
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/239
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Anisotropic composite plates; Flexural stiffness; Three-point bending test
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Anisotropic polymeric matrix composite discs supported on three points were subjected to a non-destructive bending test to study their behaviour in complex flexural loading situations. The results show that the flexural behaviour of the composites depends on several factors, such as fibre orientation, laminate stacking, surface waviness and moulding temperature. The experimental data were compared with those obtained from the finite element program software Algor. Differences up to 13% were found between the experimental and simulated values of the flexural stiffness. In spite of that, it was concluded that the non-destructive test used is a useful tool to predict the behaviour of anisotropic composites and to validate the results obtained from computer FEM analysis.