Micromechanical analysis of fatigue cracks in cord-rubber composites

Analyses of two different types of cracks due to fatigue of cord-rubber com posites is carried out using micromechanical two-dimensional (2D) and three -dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. The fracture parameter, tearing energy (TE)/J-integral that characterizes the severity of crack tip stresse s in rubber composites, is computed from the finite element results of stre sses and strains. The results obtained are validated with existing analytic al methods in the literature. Numerical results of J-integral values are pr esented for two crack types, and crack sizes under transverse strain and sh ear strain loading conditions. The results presented illustrate that crack type, loading, and crack size have a strong effect on the values of J-integ ral. The results of the J-integral should help our understanding in estimat ing the severity of local failures in cord-rubber composites. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.