Time-dependent out-of-plane deformation of UD-CFRP in humid environment

Time-dependent out-of-plane deformation of UD-CFRP (unidirectional CFRP laminate) caused by subjection to a humid environment was examined and analyzed. The UD-CFRP plate showed unpredictable geometrical variation with time in a humid environment, like asymmetric materials. The unpredictability was caused by non-uniform fiber distribution in the thickness direction of the specimen. A three-dimensional diffusion-stress coupling analysis considering the non-uniform fiber distribution was conducted based on finite element analysis. The analytical results showed very good agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, the relationship between the non-uniform fiber distribution and the out-of-plane deformation with time was obtained quantitatively.