Cyclic Loading on Composite Beams with Fluid–Structure Interaction

Cyclic loading tests were conducted for quasi-isotopically laminated glass fiber composite beams in air and water, respectively, to analyze their structural behavior and failure under Fluid–structure Interaction (FSI). Experimental results showed a significant FSI effect on fatigue failure of the composites under frequency loading of 10 and 5 Hz. The FSI reduced the fatigue life cycles by approximately 50 % at those cyclic loads. While the experiments were undertaken using the displacement-controlled mode, a computational study was also performed using the force-controlled mode to complement the experimental study as well as to provide enhanced understanding of the FSI effect on composites under cyclic loading. The knowledge gained from this study would contribute to the development of future life cycle prediction tools that would help to prevent premature failures of a composite structure in contact with water and subjected to cyclic loading.