Asymmetric laminate subjected to mechanical input

The same 11 layer asymmetric laminate is subjected to a mechanical load at the end in cantilever beam arrangement. The results are displayed in Figures 33.4, 33.5 and 33.6.

Figure 33.4: Stress variations at various interfaces and in MS layer at the time of delamination when the laminate is subjected to mechanical load along with actuator current

Figure 33.5: Strain variations at various interfaces and in MS layer at the time of delamination when the laminate is subjected to mechanical load along with actuator current

Figure 33.6: Open circuit voltage in MS layer when the laminate is subjected to mechanical load along with actuator current

The mechanical input acts against the compressive stress in the MS layer causing reduction in sensing voltage. A drop in sensing voltage from 137 mV to 64 mV is predicted. Hence, a mechanical load which acts against the compressive force in MS layer is going to decrease the sensing voltage. If the mechanical load is applied in a fashion that it adds to the compression of MS layer, the sensing voltage may be increased.

Analyzing other stacking arrangements, it has been observed that the effect of orientation of plies is more prominent than the bending effect, especially in those cases where the difference in elastic properties of fiber and matrix is greater and the matrix governs the transverse behavior of the composite laminate.