Experimental and Micro-Macro Mechanics Methods in Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Composite Panels

This paper is concerned with predictions of mechanical properties of carbon fibre-reinforced laminated composite panels using micro-macro mechanics laws. Due to superior mechanical properties, the fibrous composites are being increasingly used in aircraft industry. The industry attaches prime importance to experimental testing methods to screen quality mechanical properties of fibrous composite made components at pre-design level. However, different test methods and setups produce different results, while analytical studies neglect influence from coupling deformations. That necessitates use of micro-macro mechanics methods to be included to supplement the existing methods. Present work is mainly based on usage of micro-macro mechanics laws and influence from deformations to enhance previous efforts in prediction of mechanical properties. Current study progresses with determining properties from physical tests and relating them to off-axes properties to develop two- and three-dimensional mathematical formulations. Computer programs for the formulations were written and implemented in MATLABTM software to predict the properties. Good agreement was found between predicted and experimental produced quantities of the mechanical properties. Comparisons of results confirmed that proposed use of micro-macro mechanics laws could efficiently predict mechanical properties the panels considered in current study