MARKOV-CHAIN MODELS FOR LIFE PREDICTION OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES

The results of an experimental program to verify a recently proposed s tochastic damage accumulation model for symmetric composite laminates subjected to fatigue loading are presented and used to support the dev elopment of a life prediction model. The model is based on the applica tion of nonstationary Markov chains to the ''critical element'' approa ch for life prediction of composites. It is a hybrid strength/stiffnes s degradation model which utilizes basic probability-stress-life infor mation (P-S-N curves) in conjunction with the evolutionary distributio n of stresses on the critical load bearing plies of a laminate to dete rmine the evolutionary probability of failure of a laminate. The appli cability of the life prediction model is demonstrated through a numeri cal example. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.