3D Rotem failure criterion for fibrous laminated composite materials: Comparison with experiments

Abstract

Experimental test results of 12, three-dimensional loading cases, on laminated fibrous composite materials were provided by the organizers of the second world-wide failure exercise. These test results were compared with the three-dimensional Rotem failure criterion. These experimental data had been taken from different sources, some of which were from open literature. As a result, very broad strength distributions were observed. In general, adequate fitness between theory and tests data was observed. It was emphasized in the failure criterion that the strength parameters must be evaluated experimentally. Since some were missing, they were assumed, causing in some cases discrepancies. Now, as experimental data are provided, it was possible to calibrate some of the key parameters. By a selective modification of these parameters, the revised failure envelopes and stress–strain curves gave a much better fitness to the experimental results.