Luca Francesconi

Impact damage resistance of thin stitched carbon/epoxy laminates

The study examines the influence of through-thickness stitching on the damage response of thin cross-ply carbon/epoxy laminates subjected to low-velocity impacts. Instrumented impact tests were carried out on unstitched and polyethylene stitched laminates and the resulting damage was assessed in detail by X-radiography analyses. The results of the observations carried out during the experimental analyses are illustrated and discussed to identify the mechanical role played by through-thickness reinforcement and to highlight the influence of the laminate layup on the impact resistance of stitched laminates.

Numerical and Experimental Eigenmode Analysis of Low Porosity Auxetic Structures

This study presents an evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of low porosity, ductile auxetic structures.