Deformation and failure of hybrid beams consisting of woven carbon fiber composite and shape memory polymer layers under flexural loading

Abstract

This paper investigates the deformation and failure behaviors of hybrid layered beams consisting of woven carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite and shape memory polymer layers subjected to flexural loading. The temperature of the shape memory polymer layer was controlled by using electrical resistive heating of the woven carbon fiber-reinforced polymer layers. Three-point bending tests were then conducted on the layered beams, and the variation in the beam flexural stiffness with temperature was examined. The failure characteristics of the layered beams were also studied by microscopic observations of the tested specimens. In addition, a three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed to determine the beam flexural stiffness and the stress states in the layered beams. The predicted flexural stiffnesses were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, and the stress results were used to better understand and explain the experimental findings on the beam failure. The present results can be useful in the design and developments of high performance material systems with variable stiffness properties for aerospace morphing applications.