Investigation of Compression properties on E-Glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites used for micro wind turbine blades

Abstract

The main goal of this work is to understand the mechanical behaviour of composites to compression loads. A unidirectional (UD) fabric of E-glass fiber is the most common reinforcement in composite structural applications which exhibits excellent strength, modulus, resistance to water degradation and corrosive environments, durability, good and a quantitative and qualitative analysis is conducted on this model and the results are validated. An experimental test sample made of the E- Glass/Epoxy-resin composite is subjected to uniaxial compression test. The experimental results are validated with the multiscale mechanical model built. The FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is being utilized and the results obtained are validated through experimental approach. With such validated numerical model, application in micro wind turbine blade would result in faster prototype development. Keywords: Compressive strength, Composite material, Micro wind turbine, E-Glass fiber, FEA, Orthotropic Material, Numerical methods, Macrostructure, Microstructure.