An experimental and analytical investigation of the rail shear-test method as applied to composite materials

This report presents the results from an experimental and analytical investigation of the stress distributions occurring in a rail shear test. The effects of nonuniform stresses induced by differential thermal expansion, rail flexibility and specimen aspect ratio on measured shear modulus and ultimate strength of composite laminates are shown. A two-dimensional linearly elastic finite-element model was used to analytically determine how various geometric parameters influenced the magnitude and distribution of inplane normal and shear stresses in a tensile-rail-shear specimen. Rail shear tests were conducted at room temperature and 589 K (600°F) on selected graphite-polyimide composite laminates using two titanium rail configurations. The analysis and test methods are discussed, and the results of the effects of the various parameters on shear modulus and ultimate strength are presented.