3ELAMINATION BUCKLING AND GROWTH IN AXIALLY LOADED BEAN-PLATES

A simple one-dimensional model is used to analyze delaminat,ion buckling, postbuckling, and growth in a xially-loaded beam-plates. An explic it finite element method is employed to determine the linear buckling load and energy-release rate, and from these t he dltimate axial load can then be determined. Curves are provided to show the effect of d elamination length and location on buckling loads and energy release r ates. The results are compared to previous p apers in which the analytical method was used. This finite element method was found to give very accurate results even with small numbers of elements. It is also much more versatile since it can handle c omplicated geometries and boundary conditions.