Quasi static mechanical study of vacuum bag infused bouligand inspired composites

• Main Author: Amorim, Luís Manuel Machado
• Publication Date: 2021
• Other Authors: Santos, Ana Raquel Ribeiro, Nunes, J. P., Dias, Gustavo R., Viana, J. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/82481
• topic: Carbon fibre; Bouligand architecture; Vacuum bag infusion; Quasi-static testing; FE modelling; Failure mode; Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Mecânica; Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia dos Materiais; Engenharia e Tecnologia::Outras Engenharias e Tecnologias; Science & Technology; Indústria, inovação e infraestruturas

Three novel Bouligand inspired composites were produced by vacuum bag infusion manufacturing process and their quasi-static mechanical performance were compared to a conventional aircraft laminate. A morphologic/physical study was first conducted for all configurations and their mechanical response under tensile, three-point bending (3-PB) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests were then evaluated and discussed. No significant number of voids were detected into laminates, however, a rough and poor defined interlaminar region was observed in both Bouligand-like configurations. Under quasi-static mechanical solicitations, and when compared to reference layup, bioinspired configurations have shown similar and 18% higher tensile and flexural modulus. However, the progressive and translaminar failure mode, typically observed in these configurations, led to a lower load bearing capability. Despite presented similar interlaminar resistance than reference, finite element models built have revealed a good correlation between cross-section stress field and failure mode observed experimentally.