Performance of graphite/bismaleimide laminates with embedded optical fibers. II. Uniaxial compression

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Abstract
For pt.I see ibid., vol.1, no.1, p.24 (1992). Embedded fiber-optic strain sensors offer the potential to enhance 'smart' composite structures. Embedded optical fibers only slightly reduce the tensile properties of composite laminates (less than 10%). However, compression loads present a greater concern since they generally drive the design of advanced composite structures. This paper investigates the influence of embedded optical fibers on the uniaxial compressive performance of graphite/bismaleimide (Gr/BMI) laminates. The approach comprised obtaining experimental strength and stiffness data for eight different test configurations, each consisting of seven to ten specimens fabricated from G40-600/5245C Gr/BMI prepreg with a (03/902/0)s stacking sequence. Embedded optical fibers were found to be capable of severely degrading the compressive performance of composite laminates, depending on their orientation. Compressive strength and stiffness reductions ranged up to 70% and 20%, respectively. Similar to the previous results for tensile properties, optical fibers embedded perpendicular to the loading direction and the adjacent graphite fibers induced the largest reductions in the mechanical properties of composite laminates.