Sublaminate analysis of interlaminar fracture in composites. I - Analytical model

A simple analysis method based on a transverse shear-deformation theory and a sublaminate approach is utilized to analyze a mixed-mode edge delamination specimen. The analysis provides closed-form expressions for the interlaminar shear stresses ahead of the crack, the total strain-energy release rate, and the strain-energy release-rate components. The parameters controlling the behavior are identified. The effect of specimen stacking sequence and delamination interface on the strain energy release rate components is investigated. Results are compared with a finite-element simulation for reference. The simple nature of the method makes it suitable for preliminary design analyses which require a large number of configurations to be evaluated quickly and economically.