Fatigue Damage Evaluation of Woven Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials by Using Fatigue Damage Model

Owing to the high specific strength and stiffness of composite materials, they are extensively used in mechanical systems and in vehicle industries. However, most mechanical structures experience repeated load and fatigue. Therefore, it is important to perform fatigue analysis of fiber-reinforced composites. The properties of composite laminates vary depending upon the stacking sequence and stacking direction. Fatigue damage of composite laminates occurs according to the following sequence: matrix cracking, delamination, and fiber breakage. In this study, fatigue tests were performed for damage analysis. Fatigue damages, which have to be considered in fatigue analysis, are determined by using the stiffness values calculated from hysteresis loops, and the obtained fatigue damage curve is examined using Mao's equation and Abdelal's equation.