Abstract
In this paper a three-dimensional glass epoxy angle-ply laminate of the type [±55°] containing matrix cracks and two types of matrix-crack-induced interlaminar local delaminations has been numerically analyzed by the finite element method. Due to periodicity and symmetry only a representative volume element in the form of a parallelepiped bounded by neighbouring matrix cracks needs to be modelled. The additional contributions to the reduction of stiffness coefficients due to local delaminations are compared to the stiffness of undamaged laminates and laminates containing only matrix cracks. Furthermore, the growth of delaminations and progressive matrix cracking are investigated by calculations of their respective total energy release rates as functions of the delamination size and matrix crack density. Implications of the influence of matrix-crack-induced delaminations on the mechanical behaviour of the composite laminate are discussed.
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