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Experimental Determination of Cohesive Zone Models for Epoxy Composites

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Abstract

In this work, a new test set-up was applied in order to determine cohesive zone models experimentally. A high speed camera in combination with a digital image correlation system was used to record the local displacements enabling the detailed determination of crack opening values. The J-Integral method was used to calculate the cohesive stresses. The analyzed materials were composites made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin layers. Two different specimen geometries and the difference between warp and weft of the glass fiber mats were analyzed. As the specimen geometry didn’t have a significant influence, the difference between warp and weft, regarded by the loading direction, lead to considerably different cohesive zone laws. The initial part, the linear increase to a maximum stress, was very similar, while the damage evolution was either exponential or bilinear in shape. In future work, the derived cohesive zone models will be used to perform finite element simulations on laboratory specimens and on component scale. Thus, by comparison to the measurement result, the cohesive zone models can be evaluated.

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Acknowledgements

The research work of this paper was performed at the Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL, Austria) within the framework of the Kplus-program of the Austrian Ministry of Traffic, Innovation and Technology with contributions by the Institute of Material Science and Testing of Plastics, University of Leoben and AT&S GmbH. The PCCL is funded by the Austrian Government and the State Governments of Styria and Upper Austria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Roseggerstrasse 12, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    P. F. Fuchs

  2. Institute of Polymer Product Engineering, Johannes Kepler University, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria

    Z. Major

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  1. P. F. Fuchs
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  2. Z. Major
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Correspondence to P. F. Fuchs.

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Fuchs, P.F., Major, Z. Experimental Determination of Cohesive Zone Models for Epoxy Composites. Exp Mech 51, 779–786 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-010-9370-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-010-9370-2

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