Consecutive matrix cracking in contiguous plies of composite laminates

Abstract Propagation behaviors of obliquely-crossed microcracks induced by matrix cracks in adjacent plies of composite laminates were numerically analyzed using finite element modeling. Oblique coordinate system along obliquely-crossed cracks was defined and applied to the finite element formulation, which enabled geometrically parametric analysis for arbitrary oblique angles using a single discrete model. Three-dimensional stress analyses of [S/ θ n /90]s laminate with microcracks in θ -ply and fully developed matrix cracks in 90-ply were performed under various conditions of angle θ , θ -ply crack length, θ -ply thickness, etc. Energy release rates associated with θ -ply crack propagation in the θ -ply fiber direction were calculated in order to assess θ -ply cracking conformations. The results suggested that presence of 90-ply cracks affects θ -ply crack propagation, especially mode-I energy release rates, depending on angle θ . Furthermore, effects of angle θ , θ -ply thickness and S layer configuration on the interaction between matrix cracks in θ - and 90-plies were clarified. Finally, crack accumulation behaviors in [0/ θ 2 /90]s laminates were experimentally investigated and compared with the analytical results.

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