Finite element analysis of damaged cross-ply composite laminates

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5288291

Strauss, E A; Herakovich, C T

The problem of transverse cracks in T300/5208 graphite-epoxy cross-ply laminates was studied using generalized plane strain finite element analysis. The degradation of elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and coefficient of thermal expansion was predicted and then compared with analytical models and experimental data. The elastic modulus was predicted to exhibit relatively small degradation as a function of crack density as compared to the Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and coefficient of thermal expansion which were predicted to have large degradations. The resulting state of stress was also studied for several crack spacings. Interlaminar stresses were predicted to form as a result of the free surface of the crack. The crack tip also caused all the nonzero stresses to exhibit singular behavior at the crack tip.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5288291
• Report Number(s): CCMS-87-10; VPI-E-87-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
CARBON
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRACK PROPAGATION
DAMAGE
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EPOXIDES
EXPANSION
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
GRAPHITE
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MINERALS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POISSON RATIO
THERMAL EXPANSION