Modelling composite fore response under load

This paper discusses the characterisation and modelling of the fire behaviour of thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix composites under load. Small-scale fire tests provide a cost-effective means of characterising load-bearing behaviour in fire and a useful framework for materials development. This paper demonstrates the modelling of thermal and decomposition behaviour during the test, and the extension of this modelling to include mechanical response and failure behaviour. The latter necessitated the measurement of strength and stiffness over a wide range of temperatures, encompassing resin decomposition. Application to three glass fibre composite systems, vinyl ester (VE), polyester (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are described and it will be shown that small-scale results can be readily applied to predict the behaviour of larger structures.