SEDL / STP / STP1230-EB / STP14013S

Prediction of Energy Release Rate for Edge Delamination Using a Crack Tip Element Approach

Davidson, BD
Associate professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Pages: 21    Published: Jan 1995

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Abstract

Edge delamination in composite laminates is analyzed using a closed form, crack tip element approach. Classical laminated plate theory is utilized for the crack tip element formulation. Energy release rates and fracture mode ratios as found by this new approach are shown to agree with finite element results for mechanical, hygrothermal, and combined loadings. For those cases where a linear elastic solution predicts a near-field oscillatory singularity, a relatively simple method is proposed that allows a unique value of fracture mode ratio to be defined.