Probabilistic investigation of piezoelectric application for reliability enhancement of composite laminates under edge delamination

Abstract

In this research a novel probabilistic numerical approach is developed to investigate the effectiveness of piezoelectric (PZT) to enhance the reliability of composite laminates under edge delamination onset (EDO). To achieve this, finite element (FE) modeling is employed as an implicit limit state function (LSF) based on a quadratic failure criterion and critical length concept. Then, an interactive interface that integrates FE analysis and reliability analysis is established to execute them simultaneously until the convergence condition of the reliability index is satisfied. To verify current FE analysis, the interlaminar stress peaks, and resulting edge delamination probability obtained in this study are compared with available data. Subsequently, the probability of EDO in angle-ply composite laminates under applied longitudinal strain and applied electric field on the PZT layer is assessed using both the first-order reliability method (FORM) and the second-order reliability method (SORM). The Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is employed to verify the numerical results. Findings reveal that employment of PZT reduces EDO probability. Moreover, as the applied voltage increases, the critical strain required for definite EDO also enhances, and the positive influence of PZT on enhancing reliability becomes more pronounced, particularly with increased thickness under higher applied strain.