NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Transverse cracking and stiffness reduction in composite laminatesA study of transverse cracking mechanism in composite laminates is presented using a singular hybrid finite element model. The model provides the global structural response as well as the precise local crack-tip stress fields. An elasticity basis for the problem is established by employing Lekhnitskii's complex variable potentials and method of eigenfunction expansion. Stress singularities associated with the transverse crack are obtained by decomposing the deformation into the symmetric and antisymmetric modes and proper boundary conditions. A singular hybrid element is thereby formulated based on the variational principle of a modified hybrid functional to incorporate local crack singularities. Axial stiffness reduction due to transverse cracking is studied. The results are shown to be in very good agreement with the existing experimental data. Comparison with simple shear lag analysis is also given. The effects of stress intensity factors and strain energy density on the increase of crack density are analyzed. The results reveal that the parameters approach definite limits when crack densities are saturated, an evidence of the existence of characteristic damage state.
Document ID
19930071407
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Yuan, F. G.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Selek, M. C.
(North Carolina State Univ. Raleigh, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites
Volume: 12
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0731-6844
Subject Category
Structural Mechanics
Accession Number
93A55404
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1331
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available