Contribution to Reduce the Influence of the Free Sliding Edge on Compression-After-Impact Testing of Thin-Walled Undamaged Composites Plates

Standard Compression-After-Impact test devices show a weakening effect on thin-walled specimens due to a free panel edge that is required for compression. As a result, thin-walled undamaged samples do not break in the free measuring area but near the free edge and along the supports. They also show a strength reduction due to the free edge which can become potentially relevant for very weakly damaged panels. In order to reduce the free edge influence on the measured strength, a modified Compression-After-Impact test device has been developed. In an experimental investigation with carbon fiber reinforced plastics, the modified device is compared with a standard device. It is shown that thin-walled undamaged specimens investigated with the modified device now mainly break within the free measuring area and no longer at the free edge and along the bearings as it is the case for standard test devices. The modified device does not cause a free edge weakening effect in comparison to standard devices. The modified device is therefore more suitable for determining the compression strengths of undamaged thin-walled composite plates.