Thermoelastic investigation of impact damaged woven GRP composites

The feasibility of using the thermoelastic stress analysis technique to measure damage severity in woven composite materials is investigated. Controlled levels of impact damage are introduced into strip specimens manufactured from laminated woven E-glass polyester material. Thermoelastic data is obtained for the material in the damaged and undamaged state using the Deltatherm system. The readings are compared and it is demonstrated that, with knowledge of the impact location, the thermoelastic signal level increases with damage severity