Strain Rate Dependent Compression Properties of Carbon-Epoxy Laminates

With increasing usage of fibre-reinforced composites for structural components across the automotive and aerospace industry, it became crucial to understand how this kind of materials behave when subjected to high loading rates, which are encountered in the case of crash events. The current work presents a study on the effect of the strain rate on the compressive mechanical properties of carbon-epoxy laminates. Rectangular and omega-profile cross-section specimens were tested on a servo-hydraulic testing machine at several impact velocities. For all cases, an increase in the mechanical compressive properties of the laminate was found with increasing rates of deformation.Another important aspect is the correct implementation of the strain rate dependent properties on the numerical models used to perform finite element simulations, as it can lead to more accurate impact simulations. A good agreement between experiments and simulations was obtained for both types of cross-section specimens considered.Aerospace Engineerin