Compression of a Cord

Abstract

Cord is a structural element that is generally used to resist relatively large axial loads in tension in comparison to bending and torsional loads. However, in certain cases, a cord may be called upon to resist a compressive load such as occurs when a cord is placed in a composite. When a cord is subjected to compression, the individual filaments lose contact with each other. This results in a considerable reduction in the axial stiffness of the cord. Generally, most cord composites are fabricated at elevated temperatures and cooled to room temperatures. Some remarks are made concerning the buckling of these cords since the coefficients of thermal expansion are different for the matrix and the cord.