Effects of matrix cracking and hygrothermal stresses on the strain energy release rate for edge delamination in composite laminates

A multiscale synergistic damage mechanics approach for modeling progressive failure in composite laminates

“…For instance, the delaminations induced by matrix cracks have been analyzed by Soutis and coworkers in multiple studies (Kashtalyan & Soutis, 2002Zhang, Soutis, & Fan, 1994). A good comparison of different models for progressive damage in composite laminates has been provided in the recent Worldwide Failure Exercise (see the Journal of Composite Materials, 2012, issues 20e21).…”

Analysis of delamination in laminates with angle-ply matrix cracks

“…Governing equations, formulated in terms of finite differences, were solved numerically using an eigen-value technique. Zhang, Soutis, and Fan (1994a) and Zhang et al (1994b) used a 2-D improved shear lag analysis to predict the strain energy release rate for edge and local delaminations in balanced symmetric [AEq m /90 n ] s laminates. For edge delamination, they were able to capture a zigzag delamination pattern, that is, edge delamination switching from one (q/90) interface to another through a matrix crack, and improve O'Brien's formula for strain energy release rate for edge delamination (O'Brien, 1982) incorporating the effect of matrix cracking.…”

Statistical Analysis of the Progressive Failure Behavior for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites under Tensile Loading

“…The energy release rate associated with matrix cracking in the transverse layer of general symmetric composite laminates is presented using a 2D shear lag stress analysis and the ECM [2,21]. An energy criterion, based on the fracture mechanics approach, is proposed to predict and describe the ignition and propagation in symmetrical composite laminates subjected to in-plane loading.…”

“…Our simulation reproduces the initial crack and its propagation in the thickness direction using the energy criterion. Indeed, the potential energy method has been presented by Zhang et al [21,23] for the evaluation of the energy release rate for damage initiation and propagation due to transverse ply cracking. The required energy release rate, G, for damage growth can be calculated using the energy approach and then predicting that damage will grow when G exceeds the critical energy release rate, G c , or the toughness of the material.…”

“…ø i , Γ i and λ i are laminate constants and are functions of the lamina elastic properties and the geometrical parameters, such as the laminate stacking sequence. A detailed description of these parameters was provided in [21]. Thus, these two damage parameters,…”