文摘
In this study, the mode II delamination behavior in terms of onset-of-growth and propagation characteristics under a standard variable amplitude (VA) fatigue load sequence was investigated. A special three point bend test fixture was designed and fabricated to perform fatigue tests under VA loads. Standard end notched flexure test specimens of unidirectional IMA/M21 carbon fiber composite were fabricated. A Teflon insert was used to simulate a delamination at the mid plane. The fatigue tests were conducted under a standard mini FALSTAFF VA load sequence. Tests were carried out with different reference values of loads to determine the onset-of-growth, N onset . Decreasing the reference load was observed to increase the N onset . Further, the delamination propagation under the mini FALSTAFF load sequence was determined in the same test set-up. It is successfully demonstrated that the test fixture could be used to apply both negative and positive fatigue loads to simulate the service loads. Keywords Delamination FALSTAFF Fatigue Composite Three-point bending