An engineering approach for predicting residual strength of carbon/epoxy laminates after impact and hygrothermal cycling

Abstract

A semi-empirical analysis on residual compressive strength (RCS) of carbon/epoxy woven composite laminate was developed which included the damage effects caused by impact and hygrothermal cycling. Impact damage is modelled as a soft inclusion with an exponentially reduced stiffness and the stiffness is further reduced due to hygrothermal cycling. A complex variable method was used to determine the in-plane stress distribution near the impact-induced damage and point stress failure criterion is then used to predict the failure load. Based on the semi-empirical model, the RCS can be related to damage width, damage intensity, undamaged strength and a degradation factor due to hygrothermal cycling. The results from the analysis coincide reasonably well with the experimental data for the plain-woven fabric laminates.