Skip to main content
Log in

The losipescu shear test as applied to composite materials

  • Published:
Experimental Mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A history of the losipescu shear test as applied to composite materials is presented along with a description of the test fixture and specimen design. Iosipescu's shear test is compared to similar test techniques, including the asymmetrical four-point bending (AFPB) test. Finally, in-plane and through-the-thickness shear properties measured using the losipescu shear tests are presented for a variety of materials, including a unidirectional graphite/epoxy, random and continuous-fiber sheet molding compounds, and two polymer materials.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pagano, N.J. andWhitney, J.M., “Geometric Design of Composite Cylindrical Characterization Specimens,”J. Comp. Mat'ls.,4,538–548 (Oct. 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Feldman, A., Tasi, J. andStany, D.A., “Experimental Determination of Stuffness Properties of Thin-shell Composite Cylinders,”Experimental Mechanics,8,385–394 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Adams, D.F. andThomas, R.L., “The Solid-Rod Torsion Test for the Determination of Unidirectional Composite Shear Properties,”Textile Res. J.,39 (4),339–345 (April 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chamis, C.C. and Sinclair, J.H., “10° Off-Axis Tensile Test for Intralaminar Shear Characterization of Fiber Composites,” NASA Tech. Note, No. NASA TN D-8215 (April 1976).

  5. Rosen, B.W., “A Simple Procedure for Experimental Determination of the Longitudinal Shear Modulus of Unidirectional Composites,”J. Comp. Mat'ls,6,552–554 (Oct. 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sims, D.F., “In-Plane Shear Stress-Strain Response of Unidirectional Composite Materials,”J. Comp. Mat'ls.,7,124–128 (Jan. 1973).

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. Hahn, H.T., “A Note on Determination of the Shear Stress-Strain Response of Unidirectional Composites,”J. Comp. Mat'ls.,7,383–386 (July 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bryan, E.L., “Photoelastic Investigation of Stress Distribution in the Panel Shear Specimen,” Symp. for Torsion Shear Testing, ASTM STP 289, 90–94 (1961).

  9. Hadcock, R.N. and Whiteside, J.B., “Characterization of Anisotropic Composite Materials,” Composite Materials: Testing and Design, ASTM STP 460, 37–47 (1969).

  10. Whitney, J.M., Stansbarger, D.L. andHowell, H.B., “Analysis of the Rail Shear Test — Applications and Limitation,”J. Comp. Mat'ls.,5,24–34 (Jan. 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Garcia, R., Weisshaar, T.A. andMcWithey, R.R., “An Experimental and Analytical Investigation of the Rail Shear-test Method as Applied to Composite Materials,”Experimental Mechanics,20 (8),273–279 (Aug. 1980).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Waddoups, M.E., “Characterization and Design of Composite Materials,”Composite Materials Workshop, Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Stamford, CT (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Petit, P.H., “A Simplified Method of Determining In-Plane Shear Stress-Strain Response of Unidirectional Composites,” Composite Materials: Testing and Design, ASTM STP 460, 83–93 (1969).

  14. Lenoe, E.M., “Testing and Design of Advanced Composite Materials,”J. Engrg. Mech. Div. A.S.C.E.,96,809–823 (Dec. 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Duggan, M.F., “An Experimental Evaluation of the Slotted-tension Shear Test for Composite MaterialsExperimental Mechanics,20 (7),233–239 (July 1980).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Witt, R.K., Hoppman II, W.H. andBuxbaum, R.S., “Determination of Elastic Constants of Orthotropic Materials with Special Reference to Laminates,”ASTM Bul. No. 194, 53–57 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Tsai, S.W., “Experimental Determination of the Elastic Behavior of Orthotropic Plates,” J. Engrg. for Industry, 315–318 (Aug. 1965).

  18. “Apparent Horizontal Shear Strength of Reinforced Plastics by Short Beam Method,” ASTM D 2344-76, Part 36, 361–364.

  19. Greszczuk, L.B., “Shear Modulus Determination of Isotropic and Composite Materials,” Composite Materials: Testing and Design, ASTM STP 460, 140–149 (1969).

  20. Iosipescu, N., “New Accurate Procedure for Single Shear Testing of Metals,”J. Mat'ls.,2 (3),537–566 (Sept. 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Place, T.R., Private Communication, Aeronutronic Div., Ford Aerospace and Communications Corp., Newport Beach, CA (1974).

  22. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Damage Mechanisms/Failure Mechanics of Carbon-Carbon Composite Materials,”Report No. UWME-DR-904-101-1, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Adams, D.F. and Walrath, D.E., “Iosipescu Shear Properties of SMC Composite Materials,” Proc. ASTM 6th Conf. on Composite Materials: Testing and Design, Phoenix, AZ (May 12–13, 1981).

  24. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Shear Strength and Modulus of SMC-R50 and SMC-3 Composite Materials,”Report UWME-DR-004-105-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ., of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (March 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Static and Dynamic Shear Testing of SMC Composite Materials,”Report UWME-DR-004-103-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (May 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Iosipescu Shear Tests to Study Effects of Variations in the Fiber/Matrix Interface of Graphite/Epoxy Composites,”Report UWME-DR-004-108-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laromie, WY (Nov. 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Davis, S.J. andAdams, D.F., “Thermal Deformation of Various Composite Material Ski Constructions,”Report UWME-DR-101-103-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (May 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Mechanical Properties of ISF-Toughened Graphite/Epoxy Composites,”Report UWME-DR-104-103-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (June 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Personal Discussion with Frank W. Crossman and colleagues during visit to Lockheed Palo Alto Research Lab., Palo Alto, CA (Oct. 1980).

  30. Slepetz, J.M., Zagaeski, T.F. andNovello, R.F., “In-Plane Shear Test for Composite Materials,”Report No. AMMRC TR 78-30, Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center, Watertown, MA (July 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Arcan, M., Hashin, Z. andVoloshin, A., “A Method to Produce Uniform Plane-stress States with Applications to Fiber-reinforced Materials,”Experimental Mechanics,18 (4),141–146 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Voloshin, A. andArcan, L., “Failure of Glass/Epoxy Lamina-Fractographic Study,”J. Comp. Mat'ls.,13 (3),240–246 (July 1979).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Voloshin, A. andArcan, M., “Failure of Unidirectional Fiber-reinforced Materials — New Methodology and Results,”Experimental Mechanics,20 (8),280–284 (Aug. 1980).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Voloshin, A. andArcan, M., “Pure Shear Moduli of Unidirectional Fibre Reinforced Materials (FRM),”Fibre Sci. and Tech.,13 (2),125–134 (March–April 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Marloff, R.H., “Finite Element Analysis of Biaxial Stress Test Specimen for Graphite/Epoxy and Glass Fabric/Epoxy Composites,” Proc. ASTM 6th Conf. on Composite Materials: Testing and Design, Phoenix, AZ (May 12–13, 1981).

  36. Bergner, Jr., H.W., Davis, Jr., J.G. andHerakovich, C.T., “Analysis of Shear Test Method for Composite Laminates,”Report VPI-E-77-14, Virginia Polytechnic Instit. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (April 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Herakovich, C.T., Bergner, Jr., H.W., and Bowles, D.E., “A Comparative Study of Composite Shear Specimens using the Finite Element Method,” Proc. ASTM Symp. on Test Methods and Design Allowables for Fibrous Composites, Dearborn, MI (Oct. 2–3, 1979).

  38. Monib, M.M. andAdams, D.F., “Three-Dimensional Elastoplastic Finite Element Analysis of Laminated Composites,”Report UWME-DR-001-102-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (Nov. 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Walrath, D.E. andAdams, D.F., “Test Methods Development for 3-D Cylindrical-Weave Carbon-Carbon Composite Materials,”Report UWME-DR-104-104-1, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (Sept. 1981).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walrath, D.E., Adams, D.F. The losipescu shear test as applied to composite materials. Experimental Mechanics 23, 105–110 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328688

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328688

Keywords

Navigation