Biaxial Specimen Design for Structures Subjected to Multi-Axial Loads

Abstract

The ability to optimise structures requires a thorough understanding of the loadsthat they are subjected to. Many composite materials in use today are subjectedto complex loading patterns that exhibit multi-axial stress and straincharacteristics. It is not sufficient to model material data for thesestructures based purely on uniaxial information. Unlike the well understoodfailure criteria of materials when subjected to uniaxial loads; biaxial failureenvelope has not been defined with sufficient experimental data particularly inthe tensile load region. There has not been any standard specimen geometrydefined for biaxial testing. Also the effective area when subjected to loadingis not as easily known as is the case in uniaxial loading. Thus biaxial testspose a greater level of difficulty when establishing failure stresses for thematerial. The authors look at establishing a specimen geometry that is suitablefor use preliminarily in isotropic materials. These specimen geometries must beable to ensure failure at the anticipated gauge region. Investigation into thefirst quadrant of the biaxial failure envelope under tension-tension is lookedat with insight into matrix failure as the dominant mode of failure. Numerical resultsand preliminary experimental results for FM355 epoxy specimens are presentedand compared with existing failure models such as Von Mises criterion and thefailure criterion used in Strain Invariant Failure Theory.