Analytical and experimental studies of the debonding of stitched and unstitched composite joints

The effect of stitches on the failure of a single lap joint configuration was determined in a combined experimental and finite element study. The experimental program was conducted to determine debond growth under static monotonic loading. The stitches were shown to delay the initiation of the debond and provide load transfer after total debonding of the lap joint. The experimentally determined debond length versus applied load was used as an input parameter in the finite element analysis of both stitched and unstitched configurations. The strain energy release rates at the debond front were calculated using plate elements. Discrete nonlinear spring elements were used to model the stitches and multipoint constraints were used to model the contact problem. Models of the unstitched configuration showed significant values of mode I and II strain energy release rates across the width of the joint and showed that mode III is zero at the centerline but increases near the free edge. Models of the stitched configuration showed that the stitches were effective in reducing the mode I component to zero, but had less effect on modes II and III.