Hydrostatic Implosion of GFRP Composite Tubes Studied by Digital Image Correlation

Abstract

The mechanisms and pressure fields associated with the hydrostatic implosion of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) tubes with varying reinforcement are investigated using high-speed photography. Experiments are conducted in a large pressure vessel, designed to provide constant hydrostatic pressure throughout collapse. Three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation (DIC) is used to capture full-field displacements, and dynamic pressure transducers measure the pressure pulse generated by the collapse. Results show that braided GFRP tubes release pressure waves with significantly greater impulse upon collapse as compared to filament-wound tubes, increasing their damage potential.