A study of tension, compression, and shear test methods for advanced composites

A study of the literature pertaining to test methods for advanced composite materials has been carried out. Several test methods were discussed and compared for each of three areas of interest. These areas were uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression and in-plane shear. Test methods were selected for tension, compression and shear and guidelines set for the entry of material property data into a comprehensive mechanical property database being undertaken by Virginia Tech's Center for Composite Materials and Structures (CCMS). According to the findings, recommendations for future work were made.