Analytical modeling for the axial compression performance of steel-fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid laminates

Abstract

Hybrid structures from metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) hybrid laminates offer an attractive solution to enhance strength and structural stiffness as well as to achieve lightweight effect. The behavior of steel-FRP hybrid laminates subject to axial compression is not well understood due to lack of experimental and analytical investigations. The axial compression performance of steel-FRP hybrid laminates was studied by using axial compression test in this study. Hybrid laminates from DP980-CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer) and DP980-AFRP (aramid fiber-reinforced polymer) were fabricated and studied. An analytical model was deduced to analyze the maximum axial compressive load of steel-FRP hybrid laminates. The results demonstrate that steel-FRP hybrid laminates exhibit significantly higher maximum compressive loads and initial stiffnesses in axial compression in comparison with the single steel sheet.