Analysis of composite beams in bending

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to study the effects of different configurations of antisymmetric angle ply laminate beams when subjected to bending. Three point bending tests were conducted at a feed rate of 3mm/minute using the Intron-5569 machine with the support span of the laminate beam being varied at 80mm, 100mm and 120mm. Load vs Central deflection graphs were obtained from the computer system after the bending test. Subsequently, mechanical parameters such as load carry capacity and bending stiffness were calculated using the data from the graphs. The project also looks into the deformation effects of the [90°4/0°4] laminate beam at high central deflection during bending. A video recording was setup to capture the deformation process of the laminate beam during bending. The frames of the video were then used to measure the amount of deformation(horizontal movement, vertical movement and rotation) at different central deflections. The relation between the horizontal support movement and vertical support movement was studied. Recommendations to the fabrication and experimental setup were discussed and possible areas of future research of the project were also suggested.