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The complex mechanical behaviour of composite materials, due to internal heterogeneity and multi-layered composition impose deeper studies. This paper presents an experimental investigation technique to perform volume kinematic measurements in composite materials. The association of X-ray micro-computed tomography acquisitions and Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) technique allows the measurement of displacements and deformations in the whole volume of composite specimen. To elaborate the latter, composite fibres and epoxy resin are associated with metallic particles to create contrast during X-ray acquisition. A specific in situ loading device is presented for three-point bending tests, which enables the visualization of transverse shear effects in composite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a new multi-layer laminated composite structure model to predict the mechanical behaviour of multi-layered laminated composite structures. As a case study, the mechanical behaviour of laminated composite beam (90°/0°/0°/90°) is examined from both a static and dynamic point of view. The results are compared with the model “Sinus” and finite element method studied by Abou Harb. Results show that this new model is more precise than older ones as compared to the results by the finite element method (Abaqus). To introduce continuity on the interfaces of each layer, the kinematics defined by Ossadzow was used. The equilibrium equations and natural boundary conditions are derived by the principle of virtual power. To validate the new proposed model, different cases in bending, buckling and free vibration have been considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]