The formation and effect of outer-ply microcracks in cross-ply laminates - A variational approach

The paper presents a variational mechanics analysis of the stresses and energy release rate in a (90m/0n)s laminate, with account taken of the observed existence of staggered microcracks. It is found that the load required to initiate microcracks is significantly lower for (90m/0n)s laminates than for (0n/90m)s laminates. It is also found that (90m/0n)s laminates are characterized by a lower saturation crack density and that no bending effects tend to promote mode I delamination in (90m/0n)s laminates.