Numerical investigation of progressive damage and the effect of layup in overheight compact tension tests

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work describes a numerical investigation into progressive damage development in notched fibre-reinforced composite laminates. A finite element approach is used which explicitly models the subcritical damage in the form of delamination and splits using interface elements, and fibre failure using a progressive statistical failure theory. Failure predictions were made for Overheight Compact Tension (OCT) test specimens using five different layups made up from IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy pre-preg. Owing to the detailed modelling of the individual damage modes, their interaction is well characterised. The numerical results obtained compare well with detailed test observations, capturing delamination, intraply splitting and fibre breakage. By including the subcritical damage that occurs at the notch tip in the model, it is able to represent the effect on the stress concentration and hence to predict ultimate specimen failure. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2137-2150
Number of pages14
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume43
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

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