Numerical simulation of the influence of stacking sequence on transverse ply cracking in composite laminates

Abstract

This study concerns a numerical simulation of the transverse damage state of cross ply laminates which present a periodic stacking sequence. The variation, with crack density, of the longitudinal stiffness and energy release rate of any periodic stacking sequence laminate is deduced from basic finite element results of a repeating unit cell by using similitude considerations. Two particular laminates which have similar stacking sequences, the same total ply number but different layer thicknesses are then studied. It is established that the relationship between their respective stiffnesses and energy release rates only involves their similarity ratio. It is shown that the transverse crack phenomenon is accentuated by increased cross layer thicknesses. A comparison with experimental data confirms this result and seems to prove that, in the characteristic damage state, the stiffness reduction does not depend on the 90° layer thickness.