Experimental and theoretical analyses of first-ply failure of laminated composite pressure vessels

Abstract

Experimental and analytical approaches are studied via the first-ply failure strength on symmetrically laminated composite pressure vessels with various material properties, radius-to-thickness ratios, and different numbers of layers subjected to uniform internal pressure loads. Optimal angle-ply orientations of generally laminated symmetric [θ/−θ/…] S shells designed for maximum stiffness were investigated. A hand lay-up technique was used to laminate composite pressure vessels by the stacking of pieces of prepreg in the desired orientations and subsequent curing. The first-ply failure pressure loads of the laminated composite pressure vessels are determined using the acoustic emission AMS3 (AE) system. The experimental results have been proved to be efficient and effective in the theoretical prediction of first-ply failure strengths of laminated composite pressure vessels.