Paper number 633

METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE IMPACT DAMAGE ON FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE TUBES

Guillermo Ramirez1, Yajai Promboon2, and Michael D. Engelhardt3

1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Kansas
2006 Learned Hall, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-2234, USA
2Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate Research Assistant,
The University of Texas at Austin, Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory,
10100 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas, 78758, USA
3Department of Civil Engineering, Offshore Technology Research Center
The University of Texas at Austin, Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory,
10100 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas, 78758, USA

Summary Impact and static punch tests on fiberglass pipes were conducted. The test specimens were 15.24 cm (6 in) ID. fiberglass pipes, with thicknesses varying from 0.635 cm (1/4 in) to 1.27 cm (1/2 in). These specimens were subjected to static punch tests with different punch sizes to determine critical mechanisms, acoustic emission signatures and surface indications of damage. Following the static tests, other pipes were damaged by a low velocity impact load using two different contact areas and, impact energies. The specimens were instrumented with AE broad band sensors and monitored with digital equipment during all the stages of the testing program in addition to thermal emissions monitoring for determination of damage progression. In addition, source location studies on fiber reinforced plastics using acoustic emission records are done. This paper will present the tests results, and describe the use of acoustic emission as a tool to determine impact damage severity in composite pipes.
Keywords acoustic, fatigue, nondestructive evaluation, impact.

Theme : NDE and Reliability ; Acoustic Emission

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