A mechanistic model for transverse damage initiation, evolution, and stiffness reduction in laminated composites

A constitutive model to predict stiffness reduction due to transverse matrix cracking is derived for laminae with arbitrary orientation, subject to in-plane stress, embedded in laminates with symmetric but otherwise arbitrary laminate stacking sequence. The moduli of the damaged laminate are a funct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Composites. Part B, Engineering Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 124 - 132
Main Authors: Barbero, Ever J., Cortes, Daniel H.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010
Elsevier
Subjects:
Applied sciences
B. Transverse cracking
C. Analytical modeling
C. Computational modeling
C. Damage mechanics
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...)
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Laminates
Physics
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Solid mechanics
Structural and continuum mechanics
Technology of polymers
B. Transverse cracking
C. Damage mechanics
C. Analytical modeling
C. Computational modeling
Elastic modulus
Fracture mechanics
Stacking sequence
Laminate
Theoretical study
Mechanical properties
Mineral fiber
Modeling
Composite material
Transverse crack
Matrix fracture
Analytical solution
Damaging
Carbon fiber
ISSN:1359-8368, 1879-1069
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A constitutive model to predict stiffness reduction due to transverse matrix cracking is derived for laminae with arbitrary orientation, subject to in-plane stress, embedded in laminates with symmetric but otherwise arbitrary laminate stacking sequence. The moduli of the damaged laminate are a function of the crack densities in the damaging laminae, which are analyzed one by one. The evolution of crack density in each lamina is derived in terms of the calculated strain energy release rate and predicted as function of the applied load using a fracture mechanics approach. Unlike plasticity-inspired formulations, the proposed model does not postulate damage evolution functions and thus there is no need for additional experimental data to adjust material parameters. All that it is needed are the elastic moduli and critical energy release rates for the laminae. The reduction of lamina stiffness is an integral part of the model, allowing for stress redistribution among laminae. Comparisons with experimental data and some results from the literature are presented.
ISSN:1359-8368
1879-1069
DOI:10.1016/j.compositesb.2009.10.001