Response and Damage Evolution in Glare Laminates Under Indentation Loads

In this report, experimental data are presented, which will be used to validate FE Models describing GLARE

behaviour under indentation loads.

Therefore, only a limited effort will be dedicated to analysis and discussion, while test practices will be

described in detail.

This document is divided in two parts.

1. The first part reports the results of specific tests addressing the material characteristics and damage

mechanisms, which are required to validate an FE Model and namely:

• Tensile properties (Young modulus, yield point, tensile failure) – tensile tests

• Conditions for delamination onset – Interlaminar Shear Strength tests

• Conditions for delamination propagation – Fracture toughness tests

2. The second part deals with GLARE response and damage evolution under indentation loads. Under

increasing load levels, different damage mechanisms are activated; namely:

• Denting, related to metal plasticity

• Delamination, related to the failure of interlaminar bond between different layers within a laminate

• Perforation, related to the intralaminar failure of the single layers. This damage mechanism is

activated in metal layers when tensile limit is reached and in prepreg layers when fibre breakage

and matrix cracking occur

In this report, experimental data are presented, which will be used to validate FE Models describing GLARE

behaviour under indentation loads.

Therefore, only a limited effort will be dedicated to analysis and discussion, while test practices will be

described in detail.

This document is divided in two parts.

1. The first part reports the results of specific tests addressing the material characteristics and damage

mechanisms, which are required to validate an FE Model and namely:

• Tensile properties (Young modulus, yield point, tensile failure) – tensile tests

• Conditions for delamination onset – Interlaminar