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Optimization of Tab Geometry to Minimize Longitudinal Stress Concentration During Tensile Testing of Unidirectional CFRP

SHAILEE UPADHYAY, FRANCISCO MESQUITA, BABAK FAZLALI, LARISSA GORBATIKH, YENTL SWOLFS

Abstract


A uniaxial tensile test is a useful method for determination of material properties, especially longitudinal tensile strength. To accurately derive the longitudinal tensile strength, it is desired that the specimen fails in in the gauge section defined here as ‘working zone’. Unidirectional (UD) composites require use of end tabs during this tensile testing to avoid damage to the specimen due to grip serrations. The grip pressure, along with sudden geometry change at the edge of end tabs leads to longitudinal stress concentrations. The conventionally used rectangular and tapered end tabs suffer from these longitudinal stress concentrations under the edge of end tabs, causing premature failure of specimen outside of the working zone. In the present paper, a simulation study is performed for comparison of conventional end tabs with hybrid specimen geometry [1] and a novel arrow-shaped end tab geometry to determine the effect of end tab geometry on longitudinal stress concentrations. The study is focused on high modulus carbon fibre HS40/epoxy UD (0°) composite. The numerical model replicates the actual set-up for uniaxial tensile testing, including contact interactions between testing machine components. The simulation results are used to further optimise the geometry and provide recommendations to eliminate or minimise longitudinal stress concentrations.


DOI
10.12783/asc36/35923

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