Detection of matrix cracks in composite laminates by using the modal strain energy method

As the foremost mechanism of damage development, matrix cracking is the critical damage found in the early stage of structural failure of composites. This study aims to nondestructively detect matrix cracks in composite laminates by using an experimental modal analysis (EMA). An AS4/PEEK composite was used to fabricate cross-ply [02/9012/02] and quasi-isotropic [(±45/0/90)4]s laminates. The damage in the form of a matrix crack in the laminates was created by using a tensile load. The EMA was conducted on the laminates to obtain the modal displacements before and after damage. The displacements were then employed to compute the modal strain energy and to define the damage index, which is used for detecting matrix cracks. Limited by the mesh points of measurements, we used the differential quadrature method to calculate the partial differentials in the strain energy formula. The results obtained were validated by using the X-ray radiography method and three-point bending tests. The experimental results showed that the damage index well identified the location of breadthwise matrix cracks inside the laminates. However, the resolution of the damage index became poor if the spans of matrix cracks were short or the matrix cracks were scattered over the laminates.

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