Novel procedure for complete in-plane composite characterization using a single T-shaped specimen

This paper deals with the direct identification of the in-plane elastic properties of orthotropic composite plates from heterogeneous strain fields. The shape of the tested specimen is that of a T subjected to a complex stress state. As a result, the entire set of unknown parameters is directly involved in the strain and displacement responses of the sample. No exact analytical solution is available for such a geometry, and a specific strategy is used to identify the different stiffness components from the whole-field displacements measured over the tested specimen with a suitable optical method. The paper focuses mainly on the experimental aspects of the procedure, and an example of mechanical characterization of a fabric-reinforced composite plate is given.