Predicting fracture of layered composites caused by internal instability

The present paper estimates the critical strain at which ply instability occurs in compressible layered composites under uniaxial or biaxial compression. This is achieved by using two methods: the continuum approach and the model of piecewise-homogeneous medium in conjunction with the three-dimensional stability theory. The accuracy of the continuum theory is examined by taking into account the influence of layer thickness, stiffness properties and biaxiality of loads. Also, upper and lower bounds for the critical buckling strain of laminates with interfacial defects (cracks with connected edges) are determined using the results for perfectly bonded and sliding layers.

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