Paper number 155

FEM AND EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MODE III FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES

Youjiang Wang1 and Dongming Zhao2

1School of Textile & Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta,
Georgia 30332-0295 USA
2Johnson Control, Inc., 1005 Pinegrove Drive #204, Holland, Michigan 49423 USA

Summary A finite element analysis was performed on a [90,(+45/(45)n,((45/+45)n,90]s class of laminated composites under the edge crack torsion (ECT) test configuration. Models were established to study the relations between the interlaminar fracture behavior and various configuration parameters, including the effects of point loads, ends, geometry, Mode II interference, and friction. Results showed that with proper selection of ECT specimen configuration and layup, the delamination could grow in pure Mode III in the middle region of the specimen. An experimental investigation of the mode III fracture behavior of laminated composites was also conducted on carbon/epoxy laminated composites. A new two-point loading fixture was fabricated which was found to be simpler and more versatile than the one-point loading fixture for the ECT test. The results obtained from the test were consistent with those predicted by the finite element analysis.
Keywords Fracture, Mode III, Testing, FEM, Analysis.

Theme : Mechanical and Physical Properties ; Fracture Mechanics and Failure

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