Prediction of transverse crack multiplication of CFRP cross-ply laminates under tension-tension fatigue load

Abstract

This study aims to predict the transverse crack accumulation behavior of CFRP cross-ply laminates for evaluation of their remaining life. The tension-tension fatigue tests of CFRP cross-ply laminates were used to investigate the relationship between transverse crack accumulation behavior and the number of cycles of the fatigue tests. We also studied the damage accumulation behavior, including delamination of cross-ply laminates under fatigue loading, and it was indicated that the damage accumulation behavior depends on the maximum load of the fatigue tests. We proposed a method that can predict transverse crack accumulation behavior using a power-law between transverse crack density growth rate and the energy release rate associated with single transverse crack formation. As a result, the proposed method can estimate the applied number of cycles on CFRP cross-ply laminates.