A fatigue life prediction model for Chopped Strand Mat GRP at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Experimental and analytical investigations for the low cycle-fatigue life prediction of Glass-Reinforced Polymer (GRP) in Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) form are studied. Based on the theories of modulus degradation and residual strength degradation, a novel model is proposed for the prediction of progressive stiffness loss in terms of tension-tension fatigue load and the number of cycles. The proposed model involves various loadings and environmental variables, which makes the reliable predictions suitable for structural analysts. Experiments were carried out at room and elevated temperatures to evaluate the validity of the proposed prediction model for the characterisation of temperature-dependent behaviour in fatigue. Predictions using the proposed model are in good agreement with the experiments that justify the use of the model to determine the extent of low-cycle fatigue damage accumulation in GRP-CSM at room and elevated temperatures. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.