ABSTRACT
The failure and fracture of unidirectional and off-axis graphite/epoxy laminates under compressive loading were studied experimentally and compared to the theoretical predictions. In most cases, the predicted notched strengths using the minimum strength model and the averaged stress failure model agree well with experimental results. It was shown experimentally that the ultimate notched strength of unidirectional laminates with fibers parallel to the loading direction is notched insensitive. The applicability of the Whitney-Nuismer criterion for unidirectional and off-axis laminates is also discussed. This chapter presents the study of graphite/epoxy laminates with unidirectional and off-axis layups under compressive loading. To better understand the effects of cutout on the fiber orientation and the effects of notched sensitivity of a lamina due to the constraint layers, one must also investigate unidirectional and off-axis laminates. The chapter compares the predictions of the notched strength ratio using the stress failure criteria to the Minimum Strength Model as well as the experimental data.
