CTS-Specimen
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CTS-specimen
General information
The Anglo-Saxon abbreviation CTS stands for “Compact Tension Shear” and is referred to as the “Richard specimen” in German-speaking countries due to its inventor (DE 3041704 Richard/Hahn).
The test specimen can be used to determine fracture mechanical characteristics under mode I, mode II, and mixed mode loading. Due to the advancing technical application of high-performance composites, experimental methods for determining interlaminar fracture surface phenomena (see also: interlaminar shear strength) have experienced a noticeable upswing.
Requirements for test specimen geometry
Specimen shape
| Fig. 1: | Schematic presentation of the CTS-specimen |
Typical Dimensions:
a/W 0,5
H/2 = 0.85 W
C = 0.6 W
f = 0.2 W
B = 0.5 W
D = 0.15 W
Designation:
- 2-hole test specimen
- 4-hole test specimen
- 6-hole test specimen
- 16-hole test specimen
Determination of fracture mechanics values using CTS-specimens
The necessary testing technology is described in detail in patent specification DE 3041704 (Richard/Hahn) and enables the introduction of superimposed normal and shear stresses in test specimens. The test setup is used for the experimental investigation of multiaxial stress states.
Depending on the installation angle of the device in the testing machine, the stress state in the test cross-section of the test specimen can be varied from pure tension to tension/shear superposition to pure shear (see Fig. 2a).
| Fig. 2: | Arrangement of loading device, test specimen, and force application (a) and 3-hole test specimen with testing device (b) |
The testing technology is used in materials testing, for fracture mechanics tests, crack propagation investigations, and in experimental stress analysis, as well as for testing welded and bonded joints and composite materials. The simple test device is installed in materials testing machines (see: materials testing machine) together with fracture mechanics clamps or simple fork-shaped connecting elements (see Fig. 2b).
Features:
- Introduction of superimposed normal and shear stress using a single, simple device
- Easy installation of the device in the materials testing machine using standard fracture mechanics fixtures in accordance with ASTM, ISO, etc., e.g., Instron Schenck fracture mechanics clamps PE-CS
- static and dynamic tests in the threshold range possible
- suitable for fracture mechanics investigations under Mode I, Mode II, and mixed mode conditions (see: crack opening modes)
- generation of precisely reproducible multiaxial stress states
- good accessibility of the test area of the test specimen; this allows easy attachment of transducers or observation during, for example, stress-optical tests
A comprehensive selection of suitable test specimens for fracture mechanics tests on plastics and composites is included in fracture mechanics test specimens.
See also
- Specimen for fracture mechanics tests
- Arcan-specimen
- Fracture mechanical testing
- Composite materials testing
- Mixed-mode crack propagation
References
- Benitz, K., Richard, H. A.: Z. Werkstofftechnik 12 (1981) p. 297
- Foschum S., Schlimmer M.: Probenentwicklung zur Bestimmung des mechanischen Verhaltens von Kunststoffklebverbindungen. In: Grellmann, W. (Ed.): Herausforderungen neuer Werkstoffe an die Forschung und Werkstoffprüfung. Deutscher Verband für Materialforschung und -prüfung. Proceedings 2005, pp. 383–388, (ISSN 1861-8154; see AMK-Library under A 8)