A Numerical Approach to the Interlaminar Crack Formation Process in Cross-Ply Laminates due to Transverse Loading

• Published in: Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series A Vol. 62; no. 593; pp. 18 - 25
• Main Authors: KAMIYA, Shoji, SEKINE, Hideki, YAMADA, Kohtaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers 1996
• Subjects: Computational Simulation; Cross-Ply Laminate; Energy Release Rate; Interlaminar Crack Extension; Multi-Layered FEM; Transverse Load
• ISSN: 0387-5008; 1884-8338
• DOI: 10.1299/kikaia.62.18

Interlaminar crack extension in continuous fiber-reinforced laminates due to accidental transverse loading is one of the most serious problems in actual service applications of this kind of composite. Here we attempt to numerically obtain the relation between the in-plane two-dimensional extent of interlaminar cracks and the transverse load applied to the laminate by quasi-static indentation. Our attention is focused on the local energy release rate along the interlaminar crack front. The two-dimensional multi-layered finite-element method is developed, which employs two-dimensional bending elements of each lamina stacked to represent the laminate. This FEM enables us to easily estimate the energy release rate at any point on the interlaminar crack front. Under the condition of a constant critical energy release rate, we carry out the computational simulation of interlaminar crack extension for the case of a three-layered cross-ply laminate. Simulated extension behavior of interlaminar cracks under increasing indentation load appears to be in good agreement with the experimental observations.