Experimental Studies on Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Fiber Laminates under Static and Cyclic Loading

An experimental investigation of the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic laminates under quasistatic and cyclic loading is performed. A uniform nonlinear elastic deformation of carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminates with uniform increment of the tangent modulus is studied. A condition for the initiation of the microscopic damage process was identified. The analysis of discreet continuous stages of the damage process followed by energy release was conducted. A diagram of deformation up to full loss of carrying capacity of the material is plotted. The proposed approach can be useful for diagnostics of elements of composite structures in operation.