Energy release rate prediction for delamination versus echelon crack advance under global mode III loadings

Allison L. Horner, Barry D. Davidson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The energetics controlling delamination versus echelon crack advance in a tape composite laminate subjected to anti-plane shear loading are studied. The finite element method is used to model both single and multiple echelon cracks that intersect the planar delamination front. Energy release rates are determined along the echelon crack peripheries and along the planar delamination front. Various echelon crack shapes are evaluated in order to represent progressive stages of growth. It is shown that the echelon cracks advance due to primarily mode I conditions, whereas a mode III criterion is appropriate for predicting advance of the planar delamination. It is further shown that mode I advance of the echelon crack and mode III advance of the delamination are competing yet coupled processes, and that the sequence of events predicted by this approach agrees with what has been observed experimentally.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)161-179
Number of pages19
JournalInternational Journal of Fracture
Volume207
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017

Keywords

  • Delamination
  • Finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Fracture
  • Matrix cracking
  • Modeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Mechanics
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Mechanics of Materials

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