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

The mechanics of transverse ply cracking in crossply composite laminat es is examined in detail. A three-dimensional finite element model has been developed. This has been used to calculate fracture mechanics pa rameters 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 an alyses and experimental results from the literature. The finite elemen t analysis provides additional insight into the mechanics of the probl em; in particular it is shown that variations of fracture mechanics pa rameters as a transverse crack grows across the width of a laminate ar e minor.