Delamination analysis of a laminated composite tapered beam
A laminated composite tapered beam subjected to tension and bending is investigated for the interlaminar stress distribution and strain-energy-release rate due to effects of ply dropoff and free-edge using finite-element and sublaminate analyses. The tapered laminate consists of an S2/SP250 glass/epoxy with a {plus minus}45{degree} group of plies dropped in one distinct step, 20 ply-thicknesses apart, thus forming a taper angle of 5.71{degree}. The laminate is finite-element modeled in longitudinal and edge-view cross-sections, respectively. Steep gradients of interlaminar stresses suggest the existence of stress singularities at the points of material and geometric discontinuities created by the internal plydrops. In both tension and bending cases, the strain-energy-release rate for a delamination growing in the thin region consists predominantly of a Mode I component. Sensitivity analysis of the interlaminar normal stress and total strain-energy-release rate is investigated for variation of taper angle as well as ply orientation.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Arlington, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5331513
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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