Microscopic failure of thin–walled fibre–reinforced composite frusta under static axial collapse

Abstract

The present paper deals systematically with the study of micro–failure process during the stable collapse under axial compression of conical frusta made of chopped strand mat fibreglass composite material. Extensive microscopic investigations on the crush zone and a suitable arrangement of strain gauges over the shell wall enables the prediction of failure mechanism characteristics, the strain distribution over the shell body and the crack length developed during crushing.