SEDL / STP / STP775-EB / STP34320S

An Investigation of Cumulative Damage Development in Quasi-Isotropic Graphite/Epoxy Laminates

Masters, JE
Senior research scientist, General Dynamics Corp., Fort Worth, Tex.

Reifsnider, KL
Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Pages: 23    Published: Jan 1982

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Abstract

Results of an experimental investigation of cumulative damage development in two unnotched quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy laminates subjected to quasistatic tension and tension-tension fatigue are presented. Damage development in the form of transverse cracking in all off-axis laminae, longitudinal cracking, and delamination was monitored via the surface replication technique. Results of the study include a detailed description of the chronology of damage development prior to failure. Evidence also is presented in support of a damage model based on the concept of a characteristic damage state.