MODELING OF 90-DEGREES PLY CRACKING IN CROSSPLY LAMINATES, INCLUDING 3-DIMENSIONAL EFFECTS

The mechanics of transverse ply cracking in crossply composite laminates is examined in detail. A three-dimensional finite element model has been developed. This has been used to calculate fracture mechanics parameters associated with transverse ply crack growth across the width of a glass fibre reinforced epoxy (GFRP) laminate. The predictions of the model are shown to be in good agreement with existing shear-lag analyses and experimental results from the literature. The finite element analysis provides additional insight into the mechanics of the problem; in particular it is shown that variations of fracture mechanics parameters as a transverse crack grows across the width of a laminate are minor.