In-planeMode II fracture toughness tests of unidirectional GFRPs are conducted using a four-point shear loading test method. In the previous paper, the effect of the pre-crack length on the fracture toughness was investigated, and the advantage of this test method was also discussed. In this study, the same test method is used to evaluate the fracture toughness of the unidirectional GFRP. The normalized stress intensity factor concerning an orthotropic body of the unidirectional GFRP is calculated by a finite element method. The mode II fracture toughness is found to be constant regardless of pre-crack length. Using the finite element method, the propagation of the damage zone at the initial failure process is obtained. The analytical mode is shown to be quite effective and the initial failure process is well simulated by this modelization.
Static compression tests of unidirectional AFRP with a circular hole are carried out. The experimental result shows that the compressive strength of unidirectional AFRP containing a circular hole depends on the hole diameter. As the hole diameter increases, the compressive strength tends to be lower in spite of a decrease in the stress concentration factor aT.A good agreement between the experimental and the predicted compressive strength is observed by the application of two failure criteria. For the specimen with small hole diameter, the strength can be predicted by the Soutis' theory based on the stress distribution around the hole and linear fracture mechanics. For the specimen with large hole diameter, the strength can be predicted by the point-stress criterion (d0=1.5mm).Finally, the failure mechanism of the unidirectional AFRP subjected to compressive loads is discussed.
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