On matrix crack growth in quasi-isotropic laminates—I. Experimental investigation

Abstract Matrix crack growth behaviour under quasi-static and mechanical fatigue loadings has been studied in quasiisotropic ( 0/90 −45/ + 45 ) s GRP laminates. Detailed experimental observations were made on the initiation and growth of individual cracks in ± 45 ° and 90 ° plies. Degradation of elastic properties of the laminates due to matrix cracking was observed and recorded. The quasistatic results were compared with baseline data from a crossply ( 0 90 ) s laminate. Distinctly different crack growth behaviour was observed in quasi-isotropic laminates under quasi-static and fatigue loadings, suggesting a strong influence of load history. A higher density of ± 45 ° cracks and hence greater stiffness reduction appear to be the characteristics of fatigue damage in quasi-isotropic laminates.

[1]  C T Herakovich,et al.  Edge effects and delamination failures , 1989 .

[2]  Stephen L. Ogin,et al.  Fast fracture and fatigue growth of transverse ply cracks in composite laminates , 1985 .

[3]  Asd Wang,et al.  Effects of a 90° ply on matrix cracks and edge delamination in composite laminates , 1990 .

[4]  Kenneth Reifsnider,et al.  Stiffness-reduction mechanisms in composite laminates , 1982 .

[5]  A.S.D. Wang,et al.  The Dependence of Transverse Cracking and Delamination on Ply Thickness in Graphite/Epoxy Laminates , 1982 .

[6]  P. Smith,et al.  Poisson's ratio as a damage parameter in the static tensile loading of simple crossply laminates , 1990 .

[7]  L. Ilcewicz,et al.  The Effect of Hygrothermal Histories on Matrix Cracking in Fiber Reinforced Laminates , 1988 .

[8]  J. E. Bailey,et al.  Multiple transverse fracture in 90° cross-ply laminates of a glass fibre-reinforced polyester , 1977 .

[9]  K. Reifsnider,et al.  Fatigue Damage Evaluation through Stiffness Measurements in Boron-Epoxy Laminates , 1981 .

[10]  M. G. Bader,et al.  The behaviour of cross-ply hybrid matrix composite laminates: Part 1: Experimental results , 1992 .

[11]  S. Ogin,et al.  Application of the Paris Equation to the Fatigue Growth of Transverse Ply Cracks , 1989 .

[12]  P. Smith,et al.  The Change in Thermal Expansion Coefficient as a Damage Parameter During Thermal Cycling of Crossply Laminates , 1993 .

[13]  H. L. Cox.  The elasticity and strength of paper and other fibrous materials , 1952 .

[14]  S. L. Ogin,et al.  On matrix crack growth in quasi-isotropic laminates—II. Finite element analysis , 1997 .

[15]  P. Smith,et al.  Fracture mechanics approaches to transverse ply cracking in composite laminates , 1991 .

[16]  Tsu-Wei Chou,et al.  Statistical analysis of multiple fracture in 0°/90°/0° glass fibre/epoxy resin laminates , 1983 .

[17]  Marie Christine Lafarie-Frenot,et al.  Formation and growth of 90° ply fatigue cracks in carbon/epoxy laminates , 1991 .

[18]  Kenneth Reifsnider,et al.  Analysis of fatigue damage in composite laminates , 1980 .

[19]  Ramesh Talreja,et al.  Transverse Cracking and Stiffness Reduction in Composite Laminates , 1985 .

[20]  P. Smith,et al.  Strain energy release rates and the fatigue growth of matrix cracks in model arrays in composite laminates , 1991, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[21]  J. E. Bailey,et al.  Constrained cracking in glass fibre-reinforced epoxy cross-ply laminates , 1978 .

[22]  Peter W. R. Beaumont,et al.  Matrix cracking and stiffness reduction during the fatigue of a (0/90)s GFRP laminate , 1985 .

[23]  J. Nairn,et al.  On the phenomenon of curved microcracks in [(S)/90n]s laminates: Their shapes, initiation angles and locations , 1993 .

[24]  M. Kural,et al.  Experimental Determination of the In Situ Transverse Lamina Strength in Graphite/Epoxy Laminates , 1982 .

[25]  George J. Dvorak,et al.  Progressive Transverse Cracking In Composite Laminates , 1988 .

[26]  P. T. Curtis,et al.  On the transverse cracking and longitudinal splitting behaviour of glass and carbon fibre reinforced epoxy cross ply laminates and the effect of Poisson and thermally generated strain , 1979, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[27]  D. Dillard,et al.  Time-dependent matrix cracking in cross-ply laminates , 1990 .

[28]  Kenneth Reifsnider,et al.  An Investigation of Cumulative Damage Development in Quasi-Isotropic Graphite/Epoxy Laminates , 1982 .

[29]  Ramesh Talreja,et al.  Stiffness properties of composite laminates with matrix cracking and interior delamination , 1986 .