Preliminary development of a fundamental analysis model for crack growth in a fiber reinforced composite materialA mathematical model for the strength of fiber reinforced composites containing specific flaws is described. The approach is to embed a local heterogeneous region surrounding the crack tip in an anisotropic elastic continuum. By consideration of the individual failure events activated near the flaw tip, a strength prediction can be made from basic properties of the composite constituents. Computations for arbitrary flaw size and orientation have been performed for unidirectional composites with linear elastic-brittle constituent behavior. The mechanical properties were those of graphite epoxy. With the rupture properties arbitrarily varied to test the capability of the model to reflect real fracture modes in fiber composites, it is shown that fiber breakage, matrix crazing, crack bridging, matrix-fiber debonding, and axial splitting all can occur during gradually increasing load prior to catastrophic fracture. Qualitative comparisons with experimental results on edge-notched unidirectional graphite epoxy specimens have also been made.
Document ID
19780028146
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Kanninen, M. F. (Battelle Columbus Labs. OH, United States)
Rybicki, E. F. (Battelle Columbus Labs. OH, United States)
Griffith, W. I. (Battelle-Columbus Laboratories Columbus, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Composite materials: Testing and design