Static behaviour of transversely loaded CFRP laminate panels subject to in-plane tension

Static tests with various in-plane loads from 0 to 30 kN were conducted, to study in-plane load effects on the static behaviour of CFRP laminated composite panels when subjected to transverse load. The panels were 32 ply with the unidirectional carbon epoxy plies in a quasi-isotropic lay up. It is shown that panel stiffness and maximum load increase with increasing in-plane load and that a failure mode transition occurs with increasing in-plane load. It is also shown that the energy absorbed by the panel to failure is approximately constant with respect to in-plane load. Experimental information on load v deflection histories, surface strain histories and different failure modes together with material properties are presented in the paper, which could be used for analytical and numerical simulations of the problem.