Stress Concentration in Symmetric Angle-Ply Laminates Studied by the Quadric Surfaces Criterion

Abstract

Inherent flaws and cracks in materials will develop stress concentration. The point at or near the maximum stress concentration is normally the initial location of material failure. The purpose of this study is to apply the newly developed quadric surfaces failure criterion to the crack induced stress concentrations in fiber-reinforced, symmetric, angle-ply composite laminates under tensile loading. To investigate this criterion, the influence of the material anisotropic properties and the far field loading on the composite materials with a normal crack were studied. Special emphasis was placed on studying the crack tip damage zone and their failure mechanism. The theoretical predictions from this criterion are examined by experimental results.

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