Abstract
In this paper, results of an experimental and numerical investigation of the effects of non-linear deformation on the fatigue crack growth in composite laminates are presented and discussed. Mode I fatigue fracture experiments are carried out on extended compact tension specimens under sinusoidal load control at a frequency of 4 Hz. The fatigue fracture test data are analysed using a power law relationship between the crack growth rates and the range of the path-independent J-integral. A two- dimensional finite element model of the extended compact tension specimen is set up in order to compute the J-integral values. The model is coupled with damage analysis in order to study the effect of non-linear deformation on the fatigue fracture performance. The damage analysis is based on the Tsai-Wu failure criterion. The non-linear model is verified by carrying out comparisons between the simulated mechanical behaviour of the extended compact tension specimen and the measured one. The damage distribution within the specimen is analyzed. The J-integral is computed over paths surrounding the crack tip and not crossing the damage zone. It is shown that taking into account the damage behaviour improves the fatigue fracture resistance, which is attributed to increased strain energy dissipation as a result of non-linear deformation.