Compressive response of glass–fiber reinforced polymeric composites to increasing compressive strain rates

Abstract

Abstract The utilization of composite materials instead of traditional materials in structural high-speed applications has induced the need for a proper knowledge of dynamic behavior as well as static behavior of them. The material and structural response vary significantly under dynamic loading as compared to static loading conditions. In order to investigate the dynamic responses of composite materials under dynamic loading at various strain rates, special testing machines are needed. Most of the researches in this field are focused on applying real loading and gripping boundary conditions on the testing specimens. The present study is carried out in order to characterize the compressive properties of unidirectional glass–fiber reinforced polymeric composites using a servo-hydraulic testing apparatus at varying strain rates, ranging from 0.001 to 100 s−1. For performing practical tests, a jig and a fixture are designed and manufactured, which could insure the alignment of axial loads on the specimens. During of tests, the performance of the test jig is evaluated. It is found that the designed jig and the fixture perform very well during the test process. The results of the dynamic tests are compared with the results of the static tests carried out on specimens with identical geometry. Based on the experimental results obtained from the tests, empirical functions for the mechanical properties are proposed in terms of strain rates. The results of the study indicate that strain rate has a significant effect on the material response. It is found that the compressive strength and modulus both increased with increasing the strain rate. Also, the results show that the compressive strain to failure is generally insensitive to strain rate.