An Experimental and Computational Investigation of Mixed-Mode Translaminar Fracture of Woven Glass/Epoxy Composite

Abstract- In this study experimental and numerical translaminar fracture toughness characterization of woven glass epoxy composite is carried out under static loadings, using a new designed fixture. Epoxy matrix laminated composites reinforced with woven glass fiber fabric were prepared by hand lay-up method and post-cured in an autoclave set. By changing the loading angle, α, from 0° to 90° at 15° intervals, mixed-mode fracture tests from pure mode I to pure mode II were performed. By using of the finite-element simulations, non-dimensional stress intensity factors of butterfly sample were computed and a polynomial fit was proposed for evaluating the stress intensity factors of a translaminar crack subjected to various mixed-mode loadings. By employing experimentally measured critical loads and the aid of the finite element method, mixed-mode translaminar fracture toughness for composite material used in this study were evaluated. Keywords - ,