ON MULTIPLE DELAMINATION BUCKLING AND GROWTH IN COMPOSITE PLATES

Composite plates containing a multiple number of delaminations are analyzed with respect to combined buckling and crack growth. The von Karman plate theory is employed to determine axisymmetric bifurcation and post-buckling behavior, in particular with respect to contact between delaminated layers. For various combinations of geometry and material parameters, energy release rates at incipient crack growth are determined and stability characteristics predicted. The results show that contact between buckled layers may significantly influence post-buckling features and promote delamination growth.