Fatigue characteristics of quasi-isotropic CFRP laminates subjected to variable amplitude cyclic two-stage loading

In this study the fatigue characteristics of quasi-isotropic carbon fiber reinforced plastics laminates subjected to variable amplitude cyclic two-stage loading were investigated. The cumulative damage was evaluated by considering residual strength as a parameter since the Linear Cumulative Damage rule, i.e., the Palmgren–Miner rule, did not show good agreement. Further, the internal microscopic damage was observed with an optical microscope. As a result, it was found that cumulative damage subjected to variable amplitude cyclic loading could be expressed by considering residual strength. Additionally, we were able to predict the fatigue life of laminates subjected to variable amplitude cyclic two-stage loading.