Analysis of Transverse Cracking in Cross-Ply Composite Laminates
Abstract
An analytical model based on the principle of minimum potential energy is developed and applied to determine the two-dimensional thermoelastic stress state in cross-ply composite laminates containing multiple equally spaced transverse cracks in the 90° plies and subjected to tensile loading in the longitudinal direction. The model provides full field solution for displacements and stresses including the residual thermal stresses which in turn are used to calculate the strain energy release rate associated with various failure modes. The strain energy release rate criterion has been employed to evaluate the critical applied stresses for two of the possible fracture modes; self-similar extension of a pre-existing flaw and the formation of a new parallel crack. The computed results indicate that formation of new cracks never takes place until pre-existing cracks extend through the entire thickness of the 90° plies. The predicted results of transverse crack density are in good agreement with the available experimental data.
Recommended Citation
F. Ji et al., "Analysis of Transverse Cracking in Cross-Ply Composite Laminates," Advanced Composite Materials: The Official Journal of the Japan Society of Composite Materials, Taylor & Francis, Jan 1998.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1163/156855198X00075
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 1998 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 1998