Compressive failure of thick-section composite laminates with and without cutouts subjected to biaxial loading

Abstract

The composites studied are fiber composite laminate plates made of carbon fibers and a thermoplastic matrix material. Tests and results are given for: the solution convergence for transverse shear in a clamped plate without cutout under compression; the effects of cutout and laminate thickness on maximum shear in buckling and postbuckling response of a clamped plate under biaxial compression; the effects of cutout and laminate thickness on maximum shear in buckling and postbuckling response of a clamped plate under biaxial compression; and the effects of laminate thickness and cutout of the lowest three eigenvalues of a clamped plate under biaxial compression. Additional test results are given