Abstract
Reliable out-of-plane tensile test methods for adequate measurement of out-of-plane mechanical properties (e.g. strength) of laminated composites remain to be established. The present study focuses on the flatwise tension test using cylindrical column and spool column specimens for the measurement of out-of-plane tensile strength. Finite element analyses and experiments of unidirectional CFRP laminates were carried out in order to investigate the effect of specimen configuration on the out-of-plane tensile strength. A suitable guideline for evaluation of the out-of-plane strength was suggested based on the experimental and analytical results.
