Uniaxial ratcheting of fiber glass reinforced epoxy: the effect of the fiber orientation

Abstract

A series of finite element analysis have been undertaken on Fiber Glass Reinforced Epoxy (FRGE) laminates having fiber orientation of ± 30º, ± 45º and ± 60º subject to axial. Ratcheting of the FRGE laminate has been observed and recorded in the axial direction using ABAQUS package. The results obtained from the finite element work shows a direction in fiber orientation seemed to have effect on the rate of ratcheting. The composite with fiber orientation angle ±60° from the axial load had shown the highest rate of ratcheting compared to fiber orientation angles ±45° and ±30°. Thus, the increasing of fiber angle from the axial load will increase the rate of ratcheting.