Tension load fixture and method for evaluating fracture behavior of a composite material

A method for evaluating a specimen as the specimen undergoes tension or loading forces, the method comprising:

• applying, by a tension load fixture and via a pair of tension arms, tension or loading forces to a specimen, wherein the specimen is configured to be positioned between the pair of tension arms and defines a notch between opposite end regions of the specimen, wherein the notch extends from a side of the specimen to a middle region of the specimen;
• rotating an imaging device about an axis to facilitate generation of a three-dimensional image of the middle region of the specimen as the specimen is subjected to tension or loading forces;
• controlling, by a controller communicatively coupled to the imaging device and to a load generator, application of tension or loading forces to the specimen;
• determining, by the controller and based on the three-dimensional image, dimensions of a plurality of cracks that develop beneath a surface of the specimen and determining specific layers associated with the plurality of cracks in response to the application of tension or loading forces to the specimen, wherein:
• the plurality of cracks are different from the notch, and
• the dimensions of a crack, of the plurality of cracks, comprise a length of the crack, a height of the crack, and a position of the crack;
• tracking a damage mode, for each specific layer associated with the plurality of cracks, wherein, for each specific layer, the damage mode indicates a matrix crack or a fiber crack;
• and
• outputting data for each specific layer associated with the plurality of cracks, wherein the data indicates the dimensions of the plurality of cracks and the corresponding damage mode.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instruction code for evaluating a specimen as it undergoes tension or loading forces, wherein the instruction code is executable by a controller communicatively coupled to an imaging device and to a load generator to perform operations comprising:

• applying, by a tension load fixture and via a pair of tension arms, tension or loading forces to a specimen, wherein the specimen is configured to be positioned between the pair of tension arms and defines a notch between opposite end regions of the specimen, wherein the notch extends from a side of the specimen to a middle region of the specimen;
• rotating the imaging device about an axis to facilitate generation of a three-dimensional image of the middle region of the specimen as the specimen is subjected to tension or loading forces;
• controlling, via the load generator, application of tension or loading forces to the specimen;
• determining, based on the three-dimensional image, dimensions of a plurality of cracks that develop beneath a surface of the specimen and determining specific layers associated with the plurality of cracks in response to the application of tension or loading forces to the specimen, wherein:
• the plurality of cracks are different from the notch, and
• the dimensions of a crack, of the plurality of cracks, comprise a length of the crack, a height of the crack, and a position of the crack;
• tracking a damage mode, for each specific layer associated with the plurality of cracks, wherein, for each specific layer, the damage mode indicates a matrix crack or a fiber crack;
• and
• outputting data for each specific layer associated with the plurality of cracks, wherein the data indicates the dimensions of the plurality of cracks and the corresponding damage mode.