Abstract
The effect of notch geometries on the tensile strength of notched FRP plates was investigated. The material was a short-jute-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (JF/PP). The JF/PP plate was made by injection molding. The plate contains 30 % jute fiber by weight. The notch-root radius was 0.5, 1 and 2 mm. In addition, notch depth ranged from 2 to 4 mm. Tension test was performed by an Instron-type testing machine at a constant cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min in a temperature controlled room at 22 ℃. The experiment shows that the maximum elastic stress at fracture for notched JF/PP plate is governed by the notch-root radius, and it is independent of notch depth. The experimental results can be clearly explained on the basis of the concept of severity near the notch root. It was shown that a fracture criterion based on the severity near the notch root is effective in the JF/PP plate.
