Development of a Test Program to Evaluate Structural Defects in Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Volume 1
Abstract
A mechanical testing program was developed for evaluation of the weakening effects of different types of commonly encountered flaws on the strength of composite boat hulls. A specification was developed for production of test coupons containing realistic and consistently reproducible simulated defects. Tensile and flexural testing procedures were specified, including development of a technique for tensile testing of cored specimens. A statistically-based test plan was developed. A mechanical testing program was conducted in which approximately 400 specimens were subjected to either tensile or flexural testing. this program was conducted to verify specimen production techniques, to validate mechanical testing procedures, and to acquire information about the statistical variability of test results, which is necessary for planning future experiments. The data from the testing also supported a limited number of conclusions about the effect's of defects on the strength of composite specimens of solid, balsa-cored, and plastic foam-cored construction.... Composite materials, Tensile testing, Flexural testing, Flaw effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA263813
Entities
People
- Edward F. Mcclave
- Michael J. Goodwin