Theoretical and experimental predictions of first-ply failure of a laminated composite elevated floor plate

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical approaches are studied via the first-ply failure strength on anti-symmetrically laminated composite elevated floor plates with various length-to-depth ratios, aspect ratios, and optimal fibre orientations subjected to central point loads. Optimal angle-ply orientations of anti-symmetric [theta/-theta ...](-S) laminated composite plates designed for maximum stiffness were investigated. A vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) technique was used to manufacture an elevated floor plate by the stacking of pieces of glass-fibre fabrics in a vacuum pressure mould. In VARTM, resin is injected under pressure into a rigid mould filled with fibre preform and subsequent curing. The failure modes of the composite plates were studied, and the experimental results were used to verify the theoretical predictions. The first-ply failure loads of the composite plates are determined using the acoustic emission AMS3 system. The results have been proved to be efficient and effective in the theoretical and experimental analyses of first-ply failure loads of the composite plates.