Prediction of the onset of mode III delamination in carbon-epoxy laminates

The aim of this paper is to determine a method for accurately predicting the onset of mode III delamination in multi-layered structures. A software called DEILAM and a model of plates called M4-5N are used to evaluate the stresses in the laminate. This model has already been validated [Mechanics of Materials 34 (2002) 217]; it yields finite values and a delamination onset criterion involving the maximum value of the interfacial stresses can be thus considered. One single parameter appears in the criterion and is identified by means of tensile tests. The criterion obtained is able to reproduce thickness effects. Two application examples with two materials are considered and in both examples the theoretical predictions are very accurate.