M. M. Shokrieh - Professor Composites Research Laboratory, Center of Excellence in Experimental Solid Mechanics and Dynamics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 16846-13114, Iran
Shamaei Kashani - MSC studentComposites Research Laboratory, Center of Excellence in Experimental Solid Mechanics and Dynamics,
A R - School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 16846-13114, Iran

To study shear properties of unidirectional composites at different strain rates a proper strain rate dependent constitutive model should be developed. In the present research, shear mechanical properties of ML-506 epoxy at different strain rates have been investigated experimentally by torsion tests. Based on these experimental results, a constitutive model is developed to predict shear behavior of the neat polymer. Then, by combining this model and a micromechanical model a new strain rate dependent constitutive model for unidirectional (UD) composites is developed. Using this micromechanical model, mechanical properties of UD composites could be predicted at different strain rates. A comparison between predicted and available experimental results shows a good compatibility.

ML-506 epoxy, strain rate, constitutive model, glass/epoxy composite, micromechanics