Influence of Intralaminar Damage on the Delamination Crack Evolution

The aim of this chapter is to investigate the influence of the intralaminar damage (transverse matrix cracks and their associated local delaminations) on the interlaminar damage (delamination) evolution in composite laminate materials. Using specific device setups and coupons, this influence on the delamination onset and growth is demonstrated experimentally. In order to model this inter/intralaminar damage coupling, a cohesive zone model is developed. It takes into account the influence of the local delamination cracks resulting from transverse matrix cracking in the adjacent plies, damages which are both predicted through a continuum damage model of the ply behavior in the laminate. The application of these models to a double-edge-notched specimen under tensile loading clearly demonstrates the importance of the contribution of the introduced coupling on damage pattern. The aim of this chapter is to investigate the influence of the intralaminar damage (transverse matrix cracks and their associated local delaminations) on the interlaminar damage (delamination) evolution in composite laminate materials. Using specific device setups and coupons, this influence on the delamination onset and growth is demonstrated experimentally. In order to model this inter/intralaminar damage coupling, a cohesive zone model is developed. It takes into account the influence of the local delamination cracks resulting from transverse matrix cracking in the adjacent plies, damages which are both predicted through a continuum damage model of the ply behavior in the laminate. The application of these models to a double-edge-notched specimen under tensile loading clearly demonstrates the importance of the contribution of the introduced coupling on damage pattern.