FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A TAPERED COMPOSITE

A tapered laminated carbon-fibre/epoxy composite with a dropped ply subjected to in-plane bending is modelled in which the strain fields are predicted by a three-dimensional finite element method. The finite element results highlight the effect of strain concentrations at the ply drop-off and the free edge problems. The validation of the finite element analysis is performed by strain measurements on a tapered composite specimen using moire interferometry. Tapered composite specimens were also tested in situ observation by SEM to establish the causes of failure. The implications of the finite element results together with the test results are discussed in relation to the failure mechanisms of tapered composites.