Experimental investigation of delamination buckling of stitched composite laminates

In the current investigation, effects of through-the-thickness stitching with two different types of aramid threads, Kevlar^® and Twaron^® threads, on the buckling loads of delaminated glass/epoxy composite laminates are studied. Buckling loads are predicted based on the Southwell, Vertical displacement and Membrane strain plot methods by using the experimental data. From the Southwell, Vertical displacement and Membrane strain plot methods it is observed that stitching either by Kevlar^® or Twaron^® threads is effective in improving the buckling strength of glass/epoxy composite laminates when the delamination length is greater than 0.5L, L being the length of the laminate. For long delaminations, Kevlar^® stitched glass/epoxy composite laminate is best in retaining its buckling strength when re-loading is done. Southwell plot method tends to overestimate the buckling loads as the data obtained from this method are influenced by the breakages in the glass/epoxy composite laminate buckling test specimens.