Damage propagation in multidirectional composites subjected to compressive loading

The mode of compressive damage growth in multidirectional composites is investigated. A detailed systematic study of the nature of damage evolution is presented and the microstructural basis for treating compressive damage as a cracklike feature is explained. Experimental and theoretical findings conclude that there is a strong scientific basis for treating compressive damage growth in fiber-reinforced laminated polymer matrix composites as a bridged mode-I crack in compression. A large-scale crack-bridging model has been successfully used to predict the steady-state damage propagation stress as a function of damage growth in notched composites. These predictions are in good agreement with experimental observations.