Numerical analysis of the elastic constants' effect on the delamination propagation in a curved layered composite beam under cyclic shear loading

Layered materials and structures are used in many fields of engineering. Fatigue interface fracture is the main mode of failure in these materials and structures exposed to the long-term service conditions. Frequently the material's elastic constants are not known exactly-are subjected to some uncertainty that should be accounted for the analysis of layered materials and structures. The goal of the present study paper is to compute the elastic constants' effects on the fatigue delamination propagation at a curved interface of two component layered composite beam under cyclic shear loading. Numerical computations are carried out using finite elements. The results show that near-tip displacements and stresses, contact pressure, energy release rate range and fatigue life strongly depend on the laminae Young's modulus variation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.