Finite element modeling of the sensitivity of carbon/epoxy laminates to void content

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a methodology for simulating the structural behavior of porous carbon/epoxy composite materials. Research and testing has been performed to quantify the impact on some of the mechanical properties however no solution for collecting and utilizing all of the data has been published. Laboratory tests confirm that void content impacts the in plane tensile strength (IPT) and interlaminar shear (ILS) strength. Largely absent from this testing is the effect on in plane compression (IPC) strength. Generally, FRC are modeled with orthotropic material properties, thus assuming that tensile and compressive effects are similar. On the contrary, it is noted from testing that flexural strength is impacted by void content and therefore the relationship between tensile and compressive moduli is affected.