Cryogenic Damage and Fracture Behaviors of G-11 Woven Glass-Epoxy Laminates

Abstract

We discuss the cryogenic damage and fracture behaviors of G-11 woven glass-epoxy laminates. In conjunction with the cryogenic fracture toughness test, a finite element analysis was conducted to predict the fracture and deformation for models of the compact tension (CT) specimens. Effective elastic moduli were determined under the assumption of uniform strain inside the representative volume element. Hoffman’s criterion was selected as the criterion for fiber-dominated failure, and matrix cracking was detected by the maximum strain criterion. The virtual crack extension method was adopted to calculate strain energy release rate which leads to determination of stress intensity factor. In order to verify the model, correlations between experimental and analytical results were made, in terms of the load-displacement response and the extent of damage growth. Reasonable agreements between the calculations and the experimental data were achieved.