Experimental Study of Thickness-tapered
Unidirectional Composite Compression Specimens
by D.F. Adams and G.A. Finley
ABSTRACT--Various untabbed, thickness-tapered com-
pression specimen geometries were studied experimentally.
Both shear-loaded and end-loaded compression test meth-
ods were used to measure the strength and stiffness of
carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy unidirectional composite ma-
terial systems. The compressive strength was found to be
strongly dependent on specimen geometry, loading condi-
tions, and the cracks that initiated in the taper regions and
propagated to various lengths prior to catastrophic failure.
A specific thickness-tapered specimen geometry that pro-
duced compressive strengths significantly higher than con-
ventional specimen configurations resulted from the
experimental optimization process. A method of determining
compressive strains, and thus the compressive modulus,
using this same specimen geometry and strain gages was
also demonstrated.
Introduction
The determination of the compressive response of fibrous
composite materials has been a particularly formidable and
continuing challenge since the beginning of their develop-
ment. Even with long-term interest and much research, com-
pression testing of composite materials is still one of the
least understood areas of mechanical properties characteriza-
tion. This is evident from the numerous test fixtures and
test specimen confgurafions that have been developed over the
past two decades, as summarized for example in Refs. 1-7.
It is difficult to define the compressive failure strength
of a composite material, since elastic instabilities (buck-
ling) in various scale ranges, from gross column (Euler)
buckling down to the buckling of individual fibers within
the surrounding matrix material, typically govern failure.
What failure mode actually occurs is strongly dependent
on the specific specimen geometry and constraints imposed,
and thus even if a definition of an acceptable failure is estab-
lished, the likelihood of a composite structure being fabri-
cated and loaded under these same laboratory-controlled
testing conditions is remote.
Defining an acceptable compressive strength thus be-
comes a structural failure issue rather than a simple ma-
terial strength evaluation as for isotropic materials. That a
purely uniaxial and uniform stress state must be present in
the gage section if the specimen is to yield a true com-
D.E Adams is Professor, and G.A. Finley is a Graduate Student, Depart-
ment of Mechanical Engineering, Composite Materials Research Group,
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071.
Original manuscript submitted: August 1995.
Final manuscript received." January 1996.
pressive strength has always tended to guide the develop-
ment of new test methods and specimen designs, whether
for homogeneous materials or composites. Unfortunately,
most of the existing compression test methods for compos-
ite materials do not meet this criterion. As a result, the
many different compression test methods currently being
used to characterize the response of unidirectional fibrous
composite materials tend to produce ultimate strengths and
failure modes that are dependent on the specific test
method.
A typical compression specimen is fabricated from a fiat,
thin strip of test material of uniform width and thickness,
with a layer of tabbing material adhesively bonded to each
face at each end. These specimen tabs are intended to pre-
vent surface or end damage of the test material and thus
minimize premature failures that might be induced by the
compressive loading fixture.
The objective of the present study was to examine how
well a specific nontypical specimen configuration, i.e., one
that has not been widely studied, would measure the com-
pressive response of unidirectional materials. Untabbed
specimens that were tapered through their thickness in their
gage section region were the specimen configurations of
interest. Obviously, a specimen of this configuration does
not have a constant cross-sectional area throughout its
length. A typical untabbed thickness-tapered compression
specimen geometry is sketched in Fig. I, along with a con-
ventional straight-sided tabbed specimen.
Untabbed, thickness-tapered specimens of various ge-
ometries had been studied analytically using a finite ele-
ment analysis.~'9 Thus an associated detailed experimental
study was performed here with the goal of developing a
specimen geometry optimized on the basis of its ability to
produce high compressive strengths. During this experi-
mental program, several different catastrophic failure
modes were observed. In addition, a premature interlaminar
shear failure that altered the geometry and local stress state
in the gage section of the specimen was identified as being
common with this specimen configuration.
The thickness-tapered specimen geometry was then used
to establish that the modulus of the material could also be
successfully measured by using strain gages placed on the
specimen edges in the gage section.
Experimental results for specimens having different geome-
tries, made from two different composite material systems,
and tested in two different compression test fixtures, are pre-
sented here. The loading conditions imposed by each type
of test fixture are compared and related to the failure strengths
obtained for the various tapered specimen geometries tested.
Experimental Mechanics 9 345

12.7
(a) Geometry #9 Thickness-Tapered CompressionTestSpecimen
~ a ~ m ~ End-Tab
'..~ "' I,
(b) Conventional, Straight-SidedCompression Test Specimen
Fig, 1--Typical thickness-tapered compression specimen
compared to a conventional, constant-thickness tabbed
compression specimen (all dimensions in ram)
Test Methods Utilized
Most compression test methods can be categorized as
either shear loading or end loading, depending on how the
compressive force is introduced into the specimen. In the
present study, one of the most commonly used shear-
loading methods, i.e., the IITRI test methodJ ~ and a very
promising end-loading method, i.e., the Wyoming End-
Loaded, Side-Supported (ELSS) test method, 12'13 were
used.
The Wyoming End-Loaded, Side-Supported (ELSS)
Compression Test Fixture was developed by the Composite
Materials Research Group (CMRG) at the University of
Wyoming more than a decade ago in the early 1980s. ~3This
fixture is also described in Refs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12 and
14. The ELSS fixture was originally developed for static
and creep testing of low-strength composite materials. ~3F o r
low-strength composites, a straight-sided, untabbed speci-
men can be tested successfully. However, when testing
high-strength and/or highly orthotropic composites, and
unidirectional composite specimens in particular, it is nec-
essary to use end tabs to prevent end crushing.2'4'5"7A con-
siderable effort was expended in the present study in
establishing the potential of this specific fixture and in de-
veloping a corresponding unidirectional composite un-
tabbed specimen configuration that could be successfully
tested using this end-loading method.
346 ~ VoL 36, No. 4, December 1996
Thickness-tapered Compression
Specimen Configurations
Reducing the cross-sectional area in the gage length re-
gion of a compression specimen is not a new concept.
Cross-sectional area reduction is used in the dog-boned
(width-tapered) ASTM Standard D 695 specimens 15 and as
thickness tapering in standard RAE (Royal Aircraft Estab-
lishment) specimens. 1618 However, an attractive option that
has not been extensively explored by organizations outside
the RAE is the use of thickness-tapered unidirectional com-
posite compression test specimens with alternate loading
methods.
The reduced cross-sectional area in the gage section of
a thickness-tapered specimen obviously makes it less prone
to end-crushing failures when tested using typical direct
end-loading compression test methods. That is, the axial
stress at the minimum cross section can be high enough
to promote failure in the gage section rather than at the
specimen ends, if the geometry of the specimen is suitable
for the material being tested. Also, for thickness-tapered
specimens tested using an end-loading method, there is the
economically attractive possibility that adhesively bonded
tabs will not be needed to further increase the load-bearing
area at the specimen ends.
Even if tabs are not used, there still exists a stress con-
centration at the ends of the gage section of the thickness-
tapered specimen. The change in cross-sectional area
created by the taper radius and the discontinuation of the
loading grips (or clamping/loading blocks, depending on
the test method) induces stress concentrations. Therefore,
given the configuration of a thickness-tapered specimen,
the highest stress concentrations will exist where the cross-
sectional area is larger than at the middle of the gage sec-
tion. Ideally, the axial compressive stress and accompanying
stress concentration at the end of the gage section and up
into the tapered region presents a lower probability of fail-
ure than in the uniform central region of the specimen
where the cross-sectional area is a minimum and thus the
average axial stress is higher.
A significant concern when testing any material in com-
pression is that premature failure due to specimen mac-
robuckling not be allowed to occur. A calculation of the
effective slenderness ratio (which is a function of unsup-
ported length, cross-sectional area, moment of inertia and
boundary conditions) for an untapered compression specimen
can be easily performed and then used in the classical Euler
buckling formula to predict the critical buckling stress. ~I
Prior Thickness-tapered Specimen Testing
Kessler and Adams 19 had previously performed a pre-
liminary experimental study of thickness-tapered unidirec-
tional composite specimens subjected to both tension and
compression. They tested Hercules AS4/3501-6 carbon/
epoxy specimens using both the IITRI and ELSS fixtures.
Four different taper geometries were utilized. All four of
the geometries used in their experimental work were tested
again in the present study, and were identified as Geometry
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in both studies.
One objective of the study by Kessler and A d a m s ~9 w a s
to determine if end tabs were needed to increase the axial
load-beating surface area of the end faces of their thickness-
tapered specimens to prevent end-crushing failures. Their
results showed that end-crushing failures did occur if the
ELSS fixture bolt torque was too low for the particular
specimen geometry being tested. However, not enough
specimens were tested to firmly establish the minimum
value of bolt torque required to prevent end-crushing fail-
ures for each geometry.
Kessler and Adams 19 found that, in general, the modulus
measurements obtained from their thickness-tapered speci-
men geometries were lower than those obtained using con-
ventional straight, tabbed specimens. Measured modulus
values were independent of fixture type. They noted that
the specime n geometries producing the lowest moduli ex-
hibited the highest strengths. A hypothesis was offered that
a nonuniform strain distribution was present, and that the
2.54-mm straight section length was insufficient for the ax-
ial strain to become uniform.
The work by Kessler and Adams 19 pertaining to thickness-
tapered specimens was only a small portion of their much
broader study. Specimen failure modes and interlaminar
shear cracking were not discussed. However, their results
suggested that thickness-tapered specimens, with some fur-
ther geometry optimization, could possibly be used to ob-
tain higher unidirectional composite compressive strengths,
with better repeatability, than when using conventional (un-
tapered) tabbed specimens.
Thickness-tapered Specimen Fabrication
Two composite material systems were utilized. Hercules
AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy prepreg, z~ in the form of 305-mm
wide tape, was selected due to its widespread use in in-
dustry today, and because it is one of the most commonly
reported carbon/epoxy material systems in the published
compression-testing literature. A glass/epoxy material sys-
(tem was also selected to further support the experimental
geometry optimization done with the carbon/epoxy. CYTEC
Engineered Materials, Inc. donated $2/5216 glass/epoxy
prepreg in the form of 355-mm wide tape. 21
Unidirectional composite panels each approximately
305-mm square were first fabricated. The AS4/3501-6 carbon/
epoxy panels were 36 plies thick and the $2/5216 glass/epoxy
panels were 28 plies thick, resulting in cured panels ap-
proximately 4.5-mm thick in both cases.
The AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy composite was cured for
two hours at 177~ and 690 kPa in a press-clave, and then
postcured for four hours at 177~ in a convection oven.
The $2/5216 glass/epoxy was cured for 90 minutes at
127~ and 690 kPa in the same press-clave. No postcure
w a s required. Further details are contained in Ref. 8.
The fiber volumes of all panels utilized were between
61 and 62 percent, the void volumes being on the order
of 0.5 percent. Much care had been taken to keep the fiber
volume very constant and the void volume very low.
The cured panels were cut into subpanels each 150 mm
long and 92 mm wide prior to further processing, with each
subpanel ultimately producing six test specimens. All thick-
ness tapering of the subpanels was accomplished using alu-
minum oxide grinding wheels mounted on a surface
grinder. Depending on the desired taper radius, grinding
was either performed with a fiat wheel whose rotational
axis was perpendicular to the specimen axis or with a con-
toured wheel whose rotational axis was parallel to the
specimen axis. Once the grinding wheel had machined
one taper radius to the desired depth, it remained at that
depth and was stepped in small increments between cut-
ting passes across the subpanel until the opposing taper ra-
dius was established. The subpanel was then turned over
in the jig and the machining process repeated on the other
surface.
Each subpanel was then rough cut into six individual
specimens. The ends and edges of these specimens were
surface ground to final dimensions, and then the edges
were polished on a belt sander using 600-grit emery cloth.
A total of 168 specimens were fabricated from the two
material systems in twelve different geometries as defined
in Fig. 2 and Table 1. All specimens were 12.7 mm wide,
with 63.5-mm tab lengths, as indicated in Fig. 2.
The edges of some of the Geometry No. 9 specimens
were polished to a 3-micron surface finish using diamond
paste polishing compounds and polishing wheels. This was
to explore if the compressive strengths would be enhanced
by the reduction of surface stress concentrations beyond
that of a standard surface ground finish. Hart-Smith22 had
reported that conventional (tabbed, straight-sided) speci-
mens with polished edges failed at higher compressive
strengths than like specimens with nonP01ished edges. The
present study did not indicate any noticeable improvement.
It should also be noted that Geometry No. 12 specimens
with both ground and unground (as fabricated) faces were
tested, with no influence on measured strength.
Testing Procedures
All compression testing was performed at room tempera-
ture in an Instron Model 1334 universal testing machine,
a 445-kN capacity servo-hydraulic machine. A crosshead
displacement rate of 1.27 mm/min was used for all tests.
Approximately 60 single-element foil strain gages of
various sizes 8 were used in the present study to determine
axial compressive modulus, identify bending or buckling
(with back-to-back gages) and to determine if loading
conditions influenced modulus measurements. Most of
the gages were centrally placed on the faces or edges of
specimens in their straight section region. A few were
placed off center longitudinally by 0.635 nun to determine
if inaccurate strain gage positioning would affect modulus
measurements.
A few Geometry No. 9 and 12 specimens with back-to-
back gages were loaded in the ELSS fixture several times
(in the linear elastic range only). This allowed parameters
such as ELSS fixture bolt torque, techniques of torquing
fixture bolts and fixture-induced bending (if present) to be
studied systematically. After this multiple ELSS testing, the
same specimens were then placed in the IITRI fixture, and
strain data were recorded until specimen failure.
The IITRI fixture was used with tungsten carbide par-
ticle flame-sprayed grip faces for all testing. These faces
are much smoother than standard serrated faces, and yet
have equivalent gripping power. 19 Thus they were less likely
to damage the gripped regions of the untabbed thickness-
tapered specimens. Only a slight pitting of the specimen
surfaces was observed, the result of the high clamping
forces produced by the IITRI wedge grips during testing.
Experimental Mechanics 9 347
TABLE 1--DIMENSIONS OF THICKNESS-TAPERED COMPRESSION TEST SPECIMEN GEOMETRIES
UTILIZED (ALL DIMENSIONS IN MM)

Straight Section Gripped

Unsupported Section
Specimen Taper Radius Thickness Length Length Thickness
Geometry No. r t ~ G T

1 55.9 2.79 2.54 22.1 4.57

2 12.7 2.79 2.54 11.2 4.42
3 12.7 1.78 2.54 13.2 4.32
4 0.51 2.54 12.7 13.7 4.32
5 12.7 1.02 2.54 15.0 4.42
6 12.7 3.56 2.54 9.14 4.42
7 12.7 2.29 2.54 12.7 4.42
8 12.7 2.79 0.0 8.90 4.42
9 12.7 2.54 2.54 11.7 4.42
10 12.7 2.54 6.35 15.5 4.42
11 12.7 2.54 12.7 21.8 4.42
12a 0.0 4.42 12.7 12.7 4.42
a. Conventional untapered specimen geometry for baseline strength and modulus measurement

I 63.5 ram ~ r ~T
G = UnsupportedLength
t = Straight-Section Length
r= T a p e r Radius
t = Stralght.-Section T h i c k n e s s
T = Gripped SectionThickness
Fig] 2--Schematic of a typical thickness-tapered compres-
sion specimen indicating geometric parameters varied in
present study
A 68 N-m capacity torque wrench was used to tighten
the bolts in the ELSS fixture using an alternating pattern
between the eight bolts in increments of 2.8 N-m. As will
be presented, bolt torque ranged from 0.56 N-m to 28.3
N-m. One specimen of Geometry No. 15 was tested in the
ELSS fixture with the bolts torqued unevenly in an attempt
to attain a more favorable clamping force distribution. The
clamping bolts nearest the loading platens were torqued to
28.3 N-m, and the clamping bolts nearest the specimen
gage section were torqued to only 17.0 N-rn. Thus the con-
tact stress across the width of the gripped section of the
specimen was uniform, but there was a gradient along its
length. This specimen did fail at a slightly higher strength
than the other five specimens of the same set. Therefore,
the approach of using uneven bolt torque along the length
of the specimen showed promise, but was not explored fur-
ther in the present study.
Experimental Results
Compressive Strength
The 11 untabbed, thickness-tapered specimen geome-
tries and one conventional uniform thickness, tabbed
specimen geometry defined in Table 1 were all compres-
sion tested. The failure strengths of both composite ma-
terials tested proved to be strongly dependent on specimen
geometry.
About 40 percent of the specimens were tested in the
IITRI fixture. The average failure strengths and coeffi-
cients of variation (COV) of these specimen s of the dif-
ferent geometries are summarized in Table 2. Most COV
values were less than 5 percent for all geometries tested
in the IITRI fixture. Geometry No. 9 specimens produced
the highest strength averages for both material systems,
with the highest average compressive strengths for sets of six
specimens made of AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy and $2/5216
glass/epoxy being 1917 MPa (278 ksi) and 1710 MPa (248
ksi), respectively.
The remainder of the specimens were tested in the ELSS
fixture. Thickness-tapered specimens are well suited for test-
ing in the ELSS fixture because their reduced cross-sectional
area promotes maximum axial stress in the gage section.
Therefore, tabs are not needed to reduce bearing stress on
the specimen ends as a way of inhibiting classical end
crushing. The ELSS fixture also provides the option of an
adjustable clamping force, and thus a variable induced-
shear loading in combination with the end loading. Average
compressive strengths and coefficients of variation for
groups of two or more specimens of like geometry and
loaded under the same conditions are presented in Table 3.
Geometry No. 9 specimens of either material system
again produced the highest compressive strengths, just as
for the IITRI fixture, and the coefficients of variation were
typically even lower. The maximum average strength of the

348 ~ VoL 36, No. 4, December 1996

TABLE 2--AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS OF SPECIMENS TESTED IN THE IITRI FIXTURE
Average
No. of Bolt Compressive Strength
Composite Specimen Specimens Torque Coefficient of
Material Type Geometry No. Tested (N-m) (MPa) (ksi) Variation (%)

AS4/3501-6
carbon/epoxy 1 6 19.7 1551 225 5.5
2 6 19.7 1779 258 7.2
3 6 19.7 1586 230 2.0
4 4 19.7 1724 250 3.9
9 5 16.9 1917 278 3.1
10 2 16,9 1696 246 4.6
11 2 16.9 1400 203 2.7
12a 5 16.9 1117 162 2.6
12a 5 16.9 1151 167 3.5
$2/5216
glass/epoxy 9 6 16.9 1710 248 9.0
10 2 16.9 1558 226 0.0
a. Conventional untapered specimen geometry for baseline strength and modulus measurement

TABLE 3--AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS OF SPECIMENS TESTED IN THE ELSS FIXTURE

Average
No. of Bolt Compressive Strength
Composite Specimen Specimens Torque Coefficient of
Material Type Geometry No. Tested (N-m) (MPa) (ksi) Variation (%)

AS4/3501-6
carbon/epoxy 2 6 8.5 1786 259 4.3
3 16.9 1931 280 1.1
3 22.6 1903 276 2.5
6 28.2 1834 266 5.6
3 6 0.6 1289 187 5.6
6 4.2 1724 250 6.3
6 8.5 1806 262 3.5
5 16.9 1662 241 3.8
5 5 8.5 1310 190 1.9
6 2 22.6 1675 243 0.2
7 2 11.3 1896 275 0.8
8 2 22.6 1889 274 0.0
9 6 11.3 1993 289 1.5
5 16.9 2000 290 3.1
4 16.9 2048 297 1.8
10 2 14.1 1848 268 0.1
11 2 11.3 1538 223 0.4
$2/5216
glass/epoxy 3 2 8.5 1551 225 1.0
2 14.1 1627 236 1.9
9 2 14.1 1868 271 7.9
5 14.1 1893 275 7.6
2 22.6 1806 262 12.1
10 3 14.1 1669 242 5.5

Experimental Mechanics 9 349

AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy composite was 2049 MPa (297
ksi). The COV of all the Geometry No. 9 specimens tested
was less than 2 percent. The maximum average strength
of an $2/5216 glass/epoxy specimen set was 1893 MPa
(275 ksi), with a COV of 7.6 percent. For reasons that
could not be adequately explained, the glass/epoxy com-
posite tended to produce higher COV values than the carbon/
epoxy composite.
The Geometry No. 9 specimens of both materials, tested in
both fixtures, failed in the central gage section as desired.
Compressive M o d u l u s
Modulus measurements were made on nine different
specimen geometries using both the IITRI and ELSS fix-
tures, both material systems and approximately 60 single-
element strain gages. Modulus was calculated in all cases
as the slope of the linear best fit of the stress versus strain
data for strains between 1000 gg and 3000 gg.
Back-to-back strain gages showed that no significant
specimen bending was present and that macrobuckling was
not a mode of failure for any of the specimen geometries
tested. A typical stress versus strain plot for an end-loaded
carbon/epoxy specimen of Geometry No. 9 is shown in
Fig. 3. Nevertheless, there was considerable variation in
the modulus measurements depending on where the gages
were mounted; detailed results are presented in Ref. 8.
Typically, strain gages placed on the edges of the thickness-
tapered specimens measured a higher modulus than strain
gages placed on the straight section faces.
It was determined that none of the thickness-tapered
specimen geometries was adequately configured to prop-
erly measure modulus using strata gages mounted on the
faces of the straight section. The strain in the outer fibers
in the straight section was too high, and therefore modulus
measurements using surface-mounted strain gages were too
low. However, strain gages mounted on the edges of the
thickness-tapered specimens did show potential for prop,
erly measuring modulus.
2000- SPECIMENGC541
1000
f mOm'C_~G~
O e,~KC~,~E
0 0
0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020
STR~N
Fig. 3--Comparison of front and back strain gage re-
sponses for a typical thickness-tapered Geometry No. 9
specimen of AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy composite subjected
to ELSS loading
350 9 VoL 36, No. 4, December 1996
Since the Geometry No. 9 specimens produced the high-
est compressive strengths, the edges of some of these speci-
mens were stram gaged in the straight section region with
gages that had a grid width exactly equal to the specimen
thickness. That is, the strain gages had a grid width of 2.54
mm, the grid length being 1.52 ram. In this way, any
through-the-thickness strain gradient present was aver-
aged. A typical stress versus strain plot for an end-loaded
glass/epoxy specimen of Geometry No. 9 is shown in
Fig. 4. This approach was very successful, the results being
consistent with those obtained using conventional uniform
thickness, tabbed specimens (Geometry No. 12 in the pre-
sent study).
For example, the average modulus obtained from 17
gages on 12 different AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy conven-
tional specimens was 139.0 GPa, with a COV of 3.3 per-
cent. The average modulus from 8 gages on 2 different
specimens (for one of these specimens, the gage was re-
moved after a test and a new gage applied prior to retesting
it, for a total of seven tests of the same specimen, the pur-
pose being to determine reproducibility of gage installa-
tion) on Geometry No. 9 thickness-tapered specimens was
133.1 GPa, with a COV of 2.9 percent.
For the $2/5216 glass/epoxy composite, 12 gages on 6
different conventional specimens (back-to-back gages) re-
suited in an average modulus of 60.0 GPa, with a COV of
2.5 percent. Four gages on four different Geometry No: 9
speclmens produced an average modulus of 61.7 GPa, with
a COV of 3.1 percent.
In summary, edge-mounted gages of widths equal to the
specimen thickness produced reliable measurements of av-
erage axial strain, and thus axial modulus.
An attempt was also made to measure the modulus of
thickness-tapered specimens using an extensometer rather
than strain gages. The ELSS fixture is recessed to allow
an extensometer to be mounted on the edge of the speci-
men. Since a strain gradient was known to exist through
the thickness of the straight section of the thickness-tapered
2OOo SPE~IVENGG361
10o0
0.(300 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.025
STRAIN
Fig. 4--Comparison of front, back and side (edge) strain
gage responses for a typical thickness-tapered Geometry
No. 9 specimen of $2/5216 glass/epoxy composite sub-
jected to ELSS loading
specimens, it was hoped that using knife edges extending
across the entire thickness of the specimen would record
the average strain, just as the strain gages were able to do.
The knife edges were 2.54 mm apart, the length of the
straight section of the specimen. The knife edges were held
against the specimen edge in a conventional manner using
elastic bands. With such a short extensometer gage length,
and the confined working space available, it was extremely
difficult to accurately mount the extensometer to a speci-
men. Since edge-mounted strain gages proved capable of
measuring modulus quite well, no further attempts were
made to measure modulus using an extensometer. The pre-
sent authors do feel that using an extensometer would be
possible, but a different method of mounting the knife
edges to the specimen will have to be developed.
Discussion
The axial compressive strength of an AS4/3501-6 uni-
directional composite has been measured using conven-
tional tabbed specimens by many testing laboratories, and
typically found to be in the range from 1275 MPa (185
ksi) to 1655 MPa (240 ksi). 23 The average Compressive
strengths obtained here using thickness-tapered specimens
were considerably higher. Geometry No. 9 specimens pro-
duced axial compressive strengths as high as 2048 MPa
(297 ksi) in the ELSS fixture, and 1900 MPa (278 ksi) in
the IITRI fixture. These strength values are significant be-
cause they are the highest reported in the literature for
AS4/3501-6 unidirectional composite specimens having a
cross section of significant thickness. Furthermore, tabs were
not required to successfully test these thickness-tapered
specimens in either the ELSS or the IITRI fixtures.
Other compression-testing techniques, such as the use of
mini-sandwich specimens that have an epoxy core with
only a few unidirectional plies of skins, or cross-ply lami-
nated specimens from which unidirectional strength is
backed out via lamination theory, have indicated that even
the highest values measured in the present study are fea-
sible, and in fact quite possibly still underestimate the ac-
tual compressive strength of AS4/3501-6. For example,
Crasto and Kim 24 reported a compressive strength of 2103
MPa (305 ksi) for AS4/3501-6 mini-sandwich specimens
tested in the IITRI fixture. Welsh and Adams 25 later con-
firmed these results.
Perhaps the greatest advantage, but least understood
mechanism, associated with compression testing thickness-
tapered specimen configurations is their ability to develop
thickness-taper release cracks (TTRCs) before final com-
pressive failure. As discussed in detail in Refs. 8 and 26,
these cracks initiate inthe taper radius region of the speci-
men, where the highest stress concentrations are predicted 9
to occur. They then propagate along the specimen axis, the
total distance they propagate before being arrested being
a function of the clamping forces exerted by the test fix-
ture. Since the clamping force exerted by the ELSS fixture
can be controlled, the use of this fixture may allow the
length of the TFRCs to be controlled. The occurrence of
these cracks is believed to reduce the stress concentrations
associated with the discontinuity of the loading grips and
the presence of the taper radius and its discontinuity. Fur-
thermore, the TTRCs and the distance they propagate are
suspected of favorably altering the loading conditions ex-
perienced in the gage section of the specimen, resulting in
higher compressive strengths.
Although optimizing the thickness-tapered specimen ge-
ometry to obtain high compressive strengths of unidirec-
tional composite materials was the primary objective of the
present study, measuring the composite strain during the
same test was considered important also. It was found that
by bonding a strain gage having a gage width equal to the
specimen thickness to the specimen edge, this could be
achieved.
Conclusion
Considerable effort was expended in the present study
in attempting to optimize the thickness-tapered specimen
geometry. Finite element predictions 9 and the results of a
prior preliminary study! 9 w e r e used to establish the initial
geometries to be tested. Successive modifications were then
made based on the results obtained at each previous step
of the iterative process. The influence of bolt torque, both
on compressive strengths achieved and the modes of failure
obtained, was also found to be significant.
Eleven different thickness-tapered specimen geometries
were eventually tested during the optimization process. One
geometry evolved as being superior based on its ability to
measure the highest compressive strength for both of the
composite materials utilized. With this geometry [Geometry
No. 9, as shown in Fig l(a)], average strengths of the uni-
directional AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy and the $2/5216
glass/epoxy were measured to be 2048 MPa (297 ksi) and
1893 MPa (275 ksi), respectively. In addition, thickness-
tapered specimens exhibited strength coefficients of vari-
ation that were much lower than those typically obtained
using conventional tabbed specimens of uniform thickness.
That is, strength coefficients of variation of 2 to 3 percent
were often obtained, whereas historically variations of 10
percent or more have not been uncommon when testing
conventional specimens.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the continuing sup-
port of the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Re-
search and Technology Application, through FAA Grant
No. 94-G-009. The technical direction and encouragement
of Dr. Donald W. Oplinger, Technical Monitor, FAA Tech-
nical Center, and Joseph R. Soderquist, FAA Headquarters,
is sincerely appreciated.
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