Strength and stiffness of fibre-reinforced plastic plates

Presents the results of tests to failure of 34 fibre reinforced composite panels. All were subjected to transverse pressure loading and were restrained at the edges. The tests show the influence of fabrication technique, reinforcement lay-up and aspect ratio on strength and stiffness. It is shown that the distribution of the reinforcement is particularly influential on the stiffness and strength. The failure of the panels always occurred at the edges and was a combination of resin cracking caused by tensile stress and transverse shear stress. Possible design curves for FRP panels, based on deflection and strain parameters, are suggested. (Abstract uses original text)