Some characteristics of distributions of free-edge interlaminar stresses in composite laminates

Abstract

Analyses of some characteristics of the distribution of interlaminar stresses near free edges in composite laminates are presented. First, results on the effect of the non-linear response of composite materials are presented. Emphasis is placed on identifying whether the linear elastic laminate model has sufficient accuracy in evaluations of interlaminar stress. Second, the singularity problem of interlaminar stresses is assessed by examining the dominant fields of singular stress potentials and the effective modulus concept. Third, characteristics of interlaminar stress distributions over the dimension of the fiber's diameter are discussed, based on a heterogeneous model, as well as the macroscopically homogeneous model. Finally, results of interlaminar stresses in composite laminates under bending are presented. These results will aid better understanding of the nature of free-edge interlaminar stresses in composite laminates, as well as the failure modes and failure process in laminated composite structures.