Experiments and Analysis of Collapse Behaviour of Composite Domes under Axial Compression

Abstract

Composite domes made of short, randomly oriented glass fiber mats with polyester resin were subjected to axial compression in an Instron machine, in both empty and foam filled conditions. The domes were of different sizes and their generator was a parabola. The mechanics of deformation and the energy absorbing characteristics of the shells were studied, and their load compression curves are presented. The effect of foam filling on the response of the domes is discussed. Based on the experimental observations analytical expressions were formulated to find the average crush load and total strain energy by considering the energy absorbed in different mechanisms involved in the crushing process. The results thus obtained were compared with experimental results and these match well. Some conical shells made of the same material, height and diameter as those of domes were also subjected to axial compression, and their behavior is compared with those of the corresponding domes.