Resistance To Delamination In Composite Materials

Fracture-mechanics approach applied to delamination failures. Report presents fracture-mechanics approach to analyzing, characterizing, and designing against delamination. In study, examples of delamination problems illustrated wherein strain-energy-release rate associated with growth of delamination useful generic parameter, independent of thickness, layup, and source of delamination, for characterization of failure by delamination. Several techniques for calculation of strain-energy-release rates for delaminations from variety of sources outlined. Technique for quantification of durability due to cyclic loading presented.