Characterization of Interlaminar Shear Strength of Laminated Woven E-Glass/Epoxy Composites by Four Point Bend Shear Test

An experimental and numerical investigation was performed to study the interlaminar shear response of laminated woven E-glass/epoxy composites. The interlaminar shear strength results obtained from four point bend shear tests were compared with the results obtained from American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test standards D2344 (short beam strength). The test results reveal that the four point bend interlaminar shear test results at a span to thickness ratio of 8 is higher than the short beam shear test results at a span to thickness ratio of 4. Numerical simulations were performed with ANSYS(R) software. The experimental results and the corresponding numerical results are in good agreement. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:359-368, 2010. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers