FINITE-ELEMENT BASED DEGRADATION MODEL FOR COMPOSITES WITH TRANSVERSEMATRIX CRACKS

A degradation model for predicting the effective homogenized three-dim ensional elastic constants of an interior ply with transverse matrix c racks was developed by analyzing a three-ply representative volume ele ment using the finite element method. The degradation model was first evaluated by comparing the homogenized extensional modulus for a crack ed [0/(90)(3)](s) laminate with experimental results and finite elemen t discrete models in which each crack was modeled discretely. Further, using the degradation model, the prediction of load redistribution fo r a cantilevered laminated plate with matrix cracks subjected to trans verse end load was compared with a discrete crack model. Also, the pre diction of load redistribution in a cracked plain weave composite subj ected to uniaxial stress was compared with a discrete crack model. The degradation model showed good agreement in predicting the homogenized elastic constants and load redistributions.