Multiscale Matrix Cracking and Delamination Damage Analyses in Quasi-isotropic Glass/epoxy Composite Laminates with Hole

Abstract- Matrix cracking and delamination damage analyses of plain composite laminates show non-uniform stress field. The induced stress field non-uniformity due to the central hole increases the complexity of the damage analyses. A multiscale continuum damage method considering both matrix cracking and delamination can be used to overcome such complexities. In this investigation, the previously developed damage constitutive law by the authors is used to predict the structural response of the laminates. Also a set of holed glass fiber/epoxy resin samples with quasi-isotropic symmetric layup configurations are tested under quasi static uni-axial tensile displacement control loading condition. Different damage mechanisms in micro-scale including matrix cracking, delamination and fiber fracture causes failure of the laminates. The stacking sequence and thickness effects on the strength of the laminates are investigated. The results show that the delamination is the dominant failure mode and decreases the load carrying capability of the structures. Also the developed numerical method predicts the non-linear damage response of the structures in good agreement with experimental data. Keywords - , , , , l