A decomposition of the strain energy release rate associated with the initiation of transverse cracking, longitudinal cracking and delamination in cross-ply laminates

An energy criterion is proposed to study the damage evolution in a composite cross-ply laminate. This criterion is based on the computation of the partial strain energy release rate associated with each damage mechanism (transverse cracking, longitudinal cracking and delamination) and mode (I, II or III). Several decompositions of the complementary strain energy are put forward. Each component part of this decomposition is related to a specific damage mechanism and loading mode. The related criterion can predict and describe the initiation and propagation of the different damage mechanisms.