Structural Integrity and Durability of Advanced Composites

9

Damage evolution modelling in laminates

J. Varna     Lulea University of Technology, Lulea, Sweden

Abstract

Intralaminar cracking in layers of laminates subjected to thermo-mechanical loading is analysed in this chapter. The prediction of the damage initiation and development is a very complex task, much more difficult than prediction of the damage effect on thermo-elastic properties. Simulation tools are still in the development stage and therefore the methodology and analysis methods suggested in this chapter (strength-based statistical approach to initiation of intralaminar cracks, experimental procedure for parameter determination in the model, crack propagation description using fracture mechanics) should be considered as one of the options ...