The prediction of fatigue damage growth in impact-damaged composite skin/stringer structures. Part I: theoretical modelling studies

A methodology is proposed for predicting the growth of impact damage in carbon-fibre reinforced-polymeric skin/stringer structures when they are subjected to cyclic-fatigue loading. A finite-element analysis of the structure has been undertaken and combined with fracture-mechanics data for the composite material, which was obtained under cyclic-fatigue loading. In Part II of the present work the theoretical predictions will be compared with experimental results.