Failure Mechanisms of Notched Laminates Under Biaxial Compression at Elevated Temperature

A compression test at elevated temperature was performed to investigate the notch sensitivity and failure mechanisms of fibrous laminated composite plates containing a stress raiser, in the form of a circular cutout, under equi-biaxial and uniaxial compressive loading. Strains measured at various locations on the specimen surface and cutout edge were used to monitor the initiation of failure. Unloading the specimen before global failure made it possible to understand the failure mechanism associated with the final failure mode.