MODELING THE EFFECTIVE ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF A TRANSVERSELY CRACKED LAMINATED COMPOSITE

The solution for the stress state present in the vicinity of transvers e matrix cracks within a composite laminate is typically obtained by a ssuming a regular crack spacing geometry for the problem and applying a shear-lag analysis. In order to explore the validity of this underly ing assumption, the probability density function for the location of t he next transverse matrix crack within a crack bounded region is exami ned The regular crack spacing assumption is shown to be reasonable fro m an engineering point of view, Continuing with this assumption, a gen eralized shear-lag model for multilayer, off-axis laminates subjected to full in-plane lends is developed. This model is used to quantitativ ely evaluate the effective elastic properties of the damaged material. The results are applicable to materials such as ceramic matrix or pol ymer matrix unidirectional fiber systems where damage in the form of t ransverse matrix cracks arises.