Plate Theory Model for Thickness Tapered Composite Laminates

Abstract

The influence of induced interlaminar loads on the structural performance of thickness-tapered laminates is investigated using an energy-based damage tolerance methodology. An analytical model based on the assumptions of shear deformation plate theory is presented. The model employs linear-elastic fracture mechanics to determine the strain energy release rate characteristic of delamination growth from an embedded flaw. The solution is general in terms of taper thickness, delamination size, laminate fiber orientation and material interlaminar fracture toughness. As such, the model provides a preliminary design tool for the evaluation of interlaminar performance of symmetric tapered composite laminates.

Keywords

tapered laminates interlaminar fracture shear deformation plate theory

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. B. R. Trethewey Jr. , J. W. Gillespie Jr. and D. J. Wilkins . 1990. Interlaminar Performance of Tapered Composite Laminates. In Proceedings of the American Society for Composites, Fifth Technical Conference.

2. D. J. Wilkins . 1982. A Preliminary Damage Tolerance Methodology for Composite Structures. In Failure Analysis and Mechanisms of Failure of Fibrous Composite Structures, NASA Publication 2278.

3. J. W. Gillespie Jr. 1991. Damage Tolerance of Composite Structures: The Role of Interlaminar Fracture Mechanics. Transaction of ASME, Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 113:247-252, August.

4. B. R. Trethewey Jr. , J. W. Gillespie Jr. and D. J. Wilkins. 1993. Delamination in Thickness Tapered Composite Laminates. Transaction of ASME, Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, Vol. 115, No. 2, pp. 193-199.

5. S. N. Chatterjee , M. S. Pindera , R. B. Pipes and W. A. Dick . 1982. Composite Defect Significance. Technical Report Number MSC TFR 1312/1108, Materials Science Corporation, Spring House, PA.

6. S. N. Chatterjee , W. A. Dick and R. B. Pipes . 1986. Mixed-Mode Delamination Fracture in Laminated Composites. Composites Science and Technology, 25:49-67.

7. B. R. Trethewey. 1989. Mechanics and Performance of Laminates with Discontinuous Internal Plies. Ph.D. thesis, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.

8. J. M. Whitney . 1987. Structural Analysis of Laminated Anisotropic Plates. Technomic Publishing Co., Lancaster, PA.

9. D. Broek . 1984. Elementary Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 3rd ed. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

10.

10. E. F. Rybicki , D. W. Schmueser and J. Fox . 1977. An Energy Release Rate Approach for Stable Crack Growth in the Free-Edge Delamination Problem. Journal of Composite Materials, 11:470.

11.

11. J. W. Gillespie Jr. and L. A. Carlsson . 1991. Buckling and Growth of Delamination in Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites. Transaction of ASME, Journal of Engineeing Materials and Technology, 113:93-98.

12.

12. B. R. Trethewey Jr. , D. J. Wilkins and J. W. Gillespie Jr. 1989. Three-Dimensional Elastic Properties of Laminated Composites. Technical Report CCM 89-04, Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware.