Effect of notch position and orientation on flexural behaviour of neat epoxy GFRP laminates

Abstract

In this work the effect of notch position on the flexural properties of neat epoxy GFRP laminates were assessed. Three different set of samples consisting three specimens were prepared. First batch of samples comprised of specimen without any stress raisers, while other two batches consisted samples with 1mm deep and 1 mm wide groove. Further, the notched samples were tested at two different orientations, making the notch to appear on the top (compressive face) and bottom (tensile face) of the specimens. Testing was conducted at the loading rate of 1mm/min according to ASTM D790-17 standard. Test results revealed that when notch was present on the loading side (compressive face), the ultimate strength increased, as the stress raiser compensated the compressive deformation (fiber crushing) and allowed the laminate to go for higher deformation. Whereas the same notch when appeared on tensile face, strength of material decreased. Average ultimate strength of samples without notch was 234.7 MPa while the same for samples with notch on compressive and tensile face were 240.7 MPa and 194.5 MPa respectively. Average flexure modulus of the samples with notch on the compressive and tensile side was 13.27 GPa and 11.90 GPa respectively as compared to 14.44 GPa of sample without notch.