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Determination of singularity order and development of a metis finite element for the phenomenon of delamination in composite laminates

Conference ·
OSTI ID:109715
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Liege (Belgium). LTAS-Fracture Mechanics Dept.

The delamination phenomenon of composite laminates is a usual failure which consists of the debonding of two plies. The mechanical analysis of this is very complex because it involves geometric and material discontinuities, it leads to a three dimensional mixed modes of fracture of an anisotropic medium. The aim of this work is to study the nature of the singularities of the crack created by the delamination and to develop a sophisticated finite element for the prediction of the delamination crack instability. As the gradient of stresses around the crack tip is very high, a particular hybrid finite element, namely a metis finite element, which contains the main singular terms of the asymptotic development of the analytical solution is proposed. Numerical results will demonstrate the efficiency of this element.

OSTI ID:
109715
Report Number(s):
CONF-950521--; ISBN 1-56676-313-4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English