| Abstract: | It is well known that the bending test provides a simple and convenient way of measuring the strength of unidirectional composite materials and gives very repeatable results. The aim of this research work was to study and analyze the flexural properties of unidirectional reinforced carbon fiber/epoxy (UD) specimens subjected to three-point loading. The effect of span-to-thickness ratio (L/h) and width-to-thickness ratio (b/h) on the three-point bending of UD composites has been investigated. Results have shown that unidirectional composites exhibit a transition in the failure mode from shear delamination to fiber yield with the span-tothickness ratio (L/h) is increased. The observed experimental data are confirmed by theoretical considerations presented here. Using the classical beam theory the conclusions of the tests could be extended by applying some reasonable requirements and simple rational fractional functions identified. This made it possible to express the asymptotic values of the flexural strength, the flexural modulus and apparent shear stress in a form that is independent from the values of the span-to-thickness ratio applied, and characterize the bending behavior of the composite materials at a more exact level. |
