Test method for bending-twisting coupling deformation of unsymmetrical/unbalanced composite laminates

A numerical simulation for bending-twisting coupling deformation of unsymmetrical and unbalanced composite laminates under bending load was conducted.The parameters such as laminate width and thickness were also studied.Based on the simulation results,a flexible support device for the four-point-bending test was developed.The flexible four-point-bending tests for unsymmetrical and unbalanced composite laminates were conducted.The test results show that the developed flexible four-point-bending support device does not constrain the twisting deformation of laminates while applying bending load to it.The flexible four-point-bending support device is capable of measuring bending-twisting coupling coefficient of unsymmetrical and unbalanced composite laminates.