Interlaminar-shear-strain measurements in cord-rubber composites

The present work is an experimental study using an X-ray technique to measure directly the internal distribution of interlaminar-shear deformations which occur during uniaxial extension of two-ply, cord-rubber, angle-ply laminates—both balanced and unbalanced. Significant interlaminar-shear strains were developed between the two generally orthotropic layers of one-inch-wide specimens, which decreased almost linearly from a maximum at the edges to zero at the center line. These measurements, and those as a function of cord angle, were in good agreement with predictions obtained from various theories of laminated shear-flexible composites.