SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1982
STP34325S

Characterization of Delamination Onset and Growth in a Composite Laminate

Source

The onset and growth of delaminations in unnotched [±30±309090¯]s graphite-epoxy laminates is described quantitatively. These laminates, designed to delaminate at the edges under tensile loads, were tested and analyzed. Delamination growth and stiffness loss were monitored nondestructively. Laminate stiffness decreased linearly with delamination size. The strain energy release rate, G, associated with delamination growth, was calculated from two analyses. A critical G for delamination onset was determined, and then was used to predict the onset of delaminations in [+45n/−45n/0n/90n]s (n = 1,2,3) laminates. A delamination resistance curve (R-curve) was developed to characterize the observed stable delamination growth under quasi-static loading. A power law correlation between G and delamination growth rates in fatigue was established.

Author Information

O'Brien, TK
Structures Laboratory, U. S. Army Research and Technology Laboratories (AVRADCOM), National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E08
Pages: 140–167
DOI: 10.1520/STP34325S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4840-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0696-3