Analytical, experimental and computational study of composite beams in asymmetric four-point bending

Abstract

In this work, an analytical/theoretical, computational and experimental study is performed to investigate the behavior of polymer matrix and glass-fiber chopped strand mat composites when are loaded in asymmetric four-point bending. The theory of elasticity is used to find analytical/theoretical expressions for the stresses, strains and mainly deflections both flexural and shear. Several parameters concerning this bending method can be taken into consideration for the calculations and assessment of the results. It is shown that the magnitude of the deflection depends on the force, the span to thickness ratio but mainly on the parameter λ, referred to as loading factor and introduced in this method, which may, also determine the transition between flexural and shear failure. Finally, the convergence of the analytical and computational values with those received from experiments carried out on chopped strand mat composite beams is investigated.