The ultimate state of polymeric materials and laminated and fibrous composites under asymmetric high-cycle loading

The prediction of the high-cycle fatigue strength of polymeric and composite materials in asymmetric loading is considered. The problem is solved on the basis of a nonlinear model of ultimate state allowing us to describe all typical forms of the diagrams of ultimate stresses. The material constants of the model are determined from the results of fatigue tests in symmetric reversed cycling, in a single fatigue test with the minimum stress equal to zero, and in a short-term strength test. The fatigue strength characteristics of some polymers, glass-fiber laminates, glass-fiber-reinforced plastics, organic-fiber-reinforced plastics, and wood laminates in asymmetric tension-compression, bending, and torsion have been calculated and approved experimentally. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 87–102, January–February, 2008.     

Calculation of the Ultimate State of Reinforced Plastics and Unoriented Polymers in Asymmetric High-Cycle Tension–Compression

The fatigue failure of reinforced plastics and unoriented polymers under a joint action of static and high-cycle loadings is considered. The fatigue failure strength is estimated from stress range diagrams with a static tensile component. The models of ultimate state are constructed based on the hypothesis of existence of a unified ultimate diagram invariant with respect to the number of cycles to failure. The unified diagram is given by a transcendental power function whose exponent characterizes the sensitivity of the material to the stress-cycle asymmetry. The models of ultimate state make it possible to span practically all forms of ultimate diagrams of composite and polymer materials, including concave, rectilinear, S-shaped, and convex ones.