Characterization of glass fiber reinforced polymer via Digital Volume Correlation: Investigation of notch sensitivity

The results of in-situ cyclic tensile experiments performed on two dogbone specimens made glass fiber mat reinforced polyester resin are presented (the second specimen contains a machined rectangular notch). experimental data were obtained by using X-ray Computed Tomography. reconstructed volumes analyzed via Digital Volume Correlation. investigated material was notch-insensitive since both failed at equal stress levels. To further confirm this hypothesis, and to study strain–damage interactions, the major eigen strain correlation residual maps analyzed. Even in first loading cycle, an inner strained band extending through whole ligament area developed within specimens, already indicating path final fracture. It is shown that failure studied primarily driven yarn mesostructure, i.e., influence underlying heterogeneities prevailed over effects due machining and/or geometric singularity.