Fiber waviness and its effect on the mechanical performance of fiber reinforced polymer composites: An enhanced review

Abstract

The present paper intends to enhance the literature survey on the defect of fiber waviness generated during the manufacture of fiber reinforced polymer composites. In particular, the objective is to include areas previously neglected in the literature, adding new information and approaches that are of interest to researchers pursuing to investigate waviness. Analysis methodologies developed with the purpose of mechanical performance prediction are here collated and compared. Experimental techniques specially elaborated to investigate the effects of waviness in key structural properties are also investigated and debated, in light of the state-of-the art in this field of study. Ultimately an identification of which parameters are significant when dealing with a wavy laminate is proceeded, providing valuable information that narrows the domain of variables that could truly affect the mechanical response of a structure in the presence of waviness.