High-order layerwise mechanics and finite element for the damped dynamic characteristics of sandwich composite beams

A high-order discrete-layer theory and a finite element are presented for predicting the damping of laminated composite sandwich beams. The new layerwise laminate theory involves quadratic and cubic terms for approximation of the in-plane displacement in each discrete layer, while interlaminar shear stress continuity is imposed through the thickness. Integrated damping mechanics are formulated and both laminate and structural stiffness, mass and damping matrices are formed. A finite element method and a beam element are further developed for predicting the free vibration response, including modal frequencies, modal loss factors and through-thickness mode shapes. Numerical results and evaluations of the present model are shown. Modal frequencies and damping of sandwich composite beams are measured and correlated with predicted values. Finally, parametric studies illustrate the effect of core thickness and face lamination on modal damping and frequency values.     

Energy release rates for delamination of composite beams

This paper deals with the formulation of a mechanical/numerical model for analyzing the delamination effects of layered composite beams. The laminate is modelled through a multiple-beam model and interfacial constitutive laws are obtained by introducing interlaminar bilateral and unilateral springs. Delamination growth is described by employing the classical energy release rate criterion. A path-following procedure with delamination growth control is presented for the numerical analysis of the given model. Numerical results on delamination buckling and growth in compressed beams are given and comparisons with simplified theories are established.     

A novel model of delamination bridging via Z-pins in composite laminates

A new micro-mechanical model is proposed for describing the bridging actions exerted by through-thickness reinforcement on delaminations in prepreg based composite materials, subjected to a mixed-mode (I–II) loading regime. The model applies to micro-fasteners in the form of brittle fibrous rods (Z-pins) inserted in the through-thickness direction of composite laminates. These are described as Euler–Bernoulli beams inserted in an elastic foundation that represents the embedding composite laminate. Equilibrium equations that relate the delamination opening/sliding displacements to the bridging forces exerted by the Z-pins on the interlaminar crack edges are derived. The Z-pin failure meso-mechanics is explained in terms of the laminate architecture and the delamination mode. The apparent fracture toughness of Z-pinned laminates is obtained from as energy dissipated by the pull out of the through-thickness reinforcement, normalised with respect to a reference area. The model is validated by means of experimental data obtained for single carbon/BMI Z-pins inserted in a quasi-isotropic laminate.     

Time-varying nonlinear dynamics of a deploying piezoelectric laminated composite plate under aerodynamic force

Using Reddy’s high-order shear theory for laminated plates and Hamilton’s principle, a nonlinear partial differential equation for the dynamics of a deploying cantilevered piezoelectric laminated composite plate, under the combined action of aerodynamic load and piezoelectric excitation, is introduced. Two-degree of freedom (DOF) nonlinear dynamic models for the time-varying coefficients describing the transverse vibration of the deploying laminate under the combined actions of a first-order aerodynamic force and piezoelectric excitation were obtained by selecting a suitable time-dependent modal function satisfying the displacement boundary conditions and applying second-order discretization using the Galerkin method. Using a numerical method, the time history curves of the deploying laminate were obtained, and its nonlinear dynamic characteristics, including extension speed and different piezoelectric excitations, were studied. The results suggest that the piezoelectric excitation has a clear effect on the change of the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of such piezoelectric laminated composite plates. The nonlinear vibration of the deploying cantilevered laminate can be effectively suppressed by choosing a suitable voltage and polarity.     

板结构计算模型的新发展

现代复合材料层合板具有高强和轻型的突出优点，从而在军工和民用等诸多领域发挥着重要作用。这种板结构的特点是随着纤维走向的不同，层间材料的物理-力学特性发生剧烈变化。沿板厚方向变形的梯度比较陡峭，并在层间结合面处发生强不连续，呈现zig-zag （锯齿状）现象。这导致横向剪应变在板的静态和动态响应中发生重要作用，不计横向变形的经典组合板计算模型CLPT难以适应现代多层板计算分析的需要。考虑横向剪切变形影响的板的计算模型得到重视和发展。需要指出，现有各种考虑剪切变形影响的计算模型虽然有了很大的发展，但在全面和准确性上仍然存在一定的不足，难以适应现代多层组合板横向力和物理性能多变的情况。模型预测的沿板厚方向位移和应力的变化规律难以通过严格的检验。本文提出的以比例边界有限元为基础的正交各向异性板的数值计算模型，同时可适用于各种薄板与厚板的分析，对现代复合材料层合板的分析具有特殊的优越性。所得到的板的位移、正应力和剪应力沿板厚方向的变化，与三维弹性理论的标准解高度吻合。数值算例进一步表明，随着层间纤维走向的变化，板内位移场和应力场沿板厚方向剧烈变化所呈现的锯齿现象均可以精准地进行模拟。据此，本文建议方法对现代板分析的广泛适应性和高度准确性得到了充分论证。     

复合材料脱层梁的屈曲分析

本文研究了具有任意位置透型脱层的复合材料梁的屈曲问题。基于弹性理论建立了复合材料脱层梁的基本方程式。对脱层梁进行了分区处理,利用B样条函数作为位移型函数的基函数,方便地描述了脱层长度、脱层位置。考虑边界条件、区间位移连续性条件和弯矩剪力的平衡条件以及纵向内力的附加条件,对基本方程式进行了求解。得出了脱层位置不同,脱层长度不同的屈曲荷载的变化规律,并与轴对称脱层时的屈曲荷载进行了比较,认为层合梁考虑脱层对屈曲的影响是非常必要的。     

An experimental study of dynamic delamination of thick fiber reinforced polymeric matrix composites

Dynamic delamination of thick fiber reinforced polymeric matrix composite laminates is investigated using optical techniques and high-speed photography. The laminates used in this work are graphite/epoxy fiber reinforced, 65 percent fiber volume fraction, composite plates consisting of 48 plies (6 mm plate thickness). Two different laminate layups are tested: a quasi-isotropic arrangement and a unidirectional arrangement. The experimental setup consists of 152 mm×152 mm square plates impact loaded in an outof-plane configuration using a high-speed gas gun. Impact speeds range from 1 m/s to 30 m/s. Real-time imaging of the laminate out-of-pane displacement is performed using the lateral shearing interferometer of coherent gradient sensing (CGS) in conjunction with high-speed photography. Onset of dynamic delamination can be observed, and quantities such as delamination speeds (in some cases up to 1800 m/s) are measured and reported. A brief comparison is made with dynamic fracture experiments of the same material conducted in a separate study.     

含层间短裂纹层合板的解析－分区变分解法

将层板横截面分为含裂纹区与不含裂纹区，在每一区内，根据夏变函数理论与特征函数展开法，得到了各自区内满足所有支配方程、裂纹表面边界条件与层间连续条件的位移与应力的特征展开式，然后利用分区广义变分原理满足裂纹表面边界以外的边界条件以及两区之间的交界条件，并由此求得奇异场控制量（广义应力强度因子）。     

含层间长裂纹的对称正交层合板的解析－分区广义变分解法

本文首先将层板横截面分为含裂尖区、韧带区以及裂纹区等三个区域，用复变函数理论与特征函数展开法，得到了各区内满足所有基本方程、裂纹表面边界条件与层间连续条件的位移与应力的特征展开式。然后利用分区广义变分原理满足裂纹表面边界以外的边界条件以及各区之间的交界条件，并由此求得奇异场控制量（广义应力强度因子）。     

Finite element formulation for dynamics of delaminated composite beams with piezoelectric actuators

As a part of an effort to develop a model-supported method for detection of delaminations in composite beams with the use of time responses to external excitations, a finite element formulation for dynamics of a composite beam with delamination and attached piezoelectric actuators is developed. In this formulation account is taken of transverse shear deformation and nonlinear through-thickness variation of the longitudinal displacement. Parameters that characterize the delamination are incorporated into the formulation that makes the finite element model convenient for use in conjunction with damage identification (not discussed in the present paper). Computational predictions of frequencies show good agreement with experimental results.     

A time-domain high-order spectral finite element for the simulation of symmetric and anti-symmetric guided waves in laminated composite strips

A time domain spectral finite element is developed for improving the efficiency of numerical simulations of guided waves in laminated composite strips. The finite element relies on a new generalized laminate mechanics model formulated to represent symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb waves. The laminate mechanics incorporate third-order polynomial terms for the approximation of axial and transverse displacement fields through the thickness and consider the displacements of the upper and lower surfaces as degrees of freedom. The laminate theory formulation is easily expanded to a high-order layerwise model. Based on the resultant governing equations of the laminate section, a new finite element with 8 nodal degrees of freedom is formulated; its nodes are collocated with Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre integration points in order to improve computational efficiency. Stiffness and mass matrices are assembled and the transient response is predicted using the explicit central differences time integration scheme. The transient response of Aluminum, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer laminated and sandwich strips is investigated. Numerical results are validated against a semi-analytical solution. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the introduced element regarding the prediction of symmetric and anti-symmetric wave propagation is also quantified.     

General analytical solution to bending of composite laminated beams with delaminations

Based on the first-order shear deformable beam theory, a refined model for composite beams containing a through-the-width delamination is presented, and the deformation at the delamination front is considered. Different from the ordinary delami- nated beam theory, each of the perfectly bonded portions of the new model is constructed as two separated beams along the interface without assuming a plane section at the de- lamination front. The governing equations of the delaminated portions and bonded ones are established, combined with continuity conditions of displacements and internal forces. Solutions of delaminated composite beams with different boundary conditions, delamina- tion locations and sizes axe shown in excellent agreement with the finite element results, showing efficiency and applicability of the present model.     

A novel technique for time-resolved detection and tracking of interfacial and matrix fracture in layered materials

A novel experimental technique is developed for time-resolved detection and tracking of damage in the forms of delamination and matrix cracking in layered materials such as composite laminates. The technique is non-contact in nature and uses dual or quadruple laser interferometers for high temporal resolution. Simultaneous measurements of differential displacement and velocity at individual locations are obtained to analyze the initiation and progression of interfacial fracture and/or matrix cracking/delamination in a polymer matrix composite laminate system reinforced by graphite fibers. The measurements at multiple locations allow the speeds at which interfacial crack front (mode-I) or matrix cracking/delamination front (mode-II dominated) propagates to be determined. Experiments carried out use three-point bend configurations. Impact loading is achieved using a modified Kolsky bar apparatus with a complete set of diagnostics for load, deformation, deformation rate, and input energy measurement. This technique is used to characterize the full process of damage initiation and growth. The experiments also focused on the quantification of the speed at which delamination or damage propagates under primarily mode-I and mode-II conditions. The results show that the speed of delamination (mode-I) or the speed of matrix cracking/delamination (primarily mode-II) increases linearly with impact velocity. Furthermore, speeds of matrix failure/delamination under primarily mode-II conditions are much higher than the speeds of mode-I crack induced delamination under mode-I conditions.     

Two-dimensional analyses of delamination buckling of symmetrically cross-ply rectangular laminates

The conventional approach to analysis the buckling of rectangular laminates containing an embedded delamination subjected to the in-plane loading is to simplify the laminate as a beam-plate from which the predicted buckling load decreases as the length of the laminate increases. Two-dimensional analyses are employed in this paper by extending the one-dimensional model to take into consideration of the influence of the delamination width on the buckling performance of the laminates. The laminate is simply supported containing a through width delamination. A new parameter β defined as the ratio of delamination length to delamination width is introduced with an emphasis on the influence of the delamination size. It is found that (i) when the ratio β is greater than one snap-through buckling prevails, the buckling load is determined by the delamination size and depth only; (ii) as the ratio β continues to increase, the buckling load will approach to a constant value. Solutions are verified with the well established results and are found in good agreement with the latter.     

A coupled interface-multilayer approach for mixed mode delamination and contact analysis in laminated composites

An accurate laminate model developed by using multilayer shear deformable plate modeling and interface elements, based on fracture mechanics and contact mechanics, is proposed to analyze mixed mode delamination in composite laminates. Perfect adhesion along the undelaminated portion of the delamination plane is simulated by treating interface stiffnesses as penalty parameters, whereas to enforce interface displacement continuity between plate elements constituting each sub-laminate above or below the delamination plane, the Lagrange multiplier method is used. The governing differential equations are derived through a variational procedure by using a modified total potential energy functional. Results are obtained by numerical integration of the non-linear three-point boundary value problem modeling mixed-mode delamination of the laminate plate subjected to end loading, which accounts also for the frictionless contact condition.The coupling of a penalty procedure with the Lagrange multiplier method, results in an accurate and direct energy release rate evaluation. Comparisons with results available from the literature obtained with a local continuum approach, show that mode partition may be performed to the desired accuracy by refining multilayer plate models for each sub-laminate. In addition, original analytical formulas for mode partition are obtained by coupling the interface approach and fracture mechanics concepts, evidencing the effectiveness of the proposed approach and gaining a better insight into the influence of shear effects on mode decomposition. Numerical computations for practical problems, evidence both the relative simplicity and the efficiency of the proposed model to represent mixed mode interlaminar fracturing as well as crack–face interaction.     

CONTACT ANALYSIS FOR FIBER-REINFORCED, DELAMINATED LAMINATES WITH KINEMATIC NONLINEARITY

A macro-micro analytical approach for the anti-penetrating contact problem at the interfaces of the delamination in symmetrically cross-plied,fiber-reinforced rectangular laminates is presented in this paper.The laminate is simply supported and subjected to a uniform transverse load with a through-width delamination buried at the center position.A contact factor is defined to characterize the contact efect and determined using the micro-mechanics of composite material.By analyzing the kinematics of nonlinear deformation at the interfaces of the delamination,the contact force is derived.Asymptotic solutions from perturbation analysis are presented.It is found that the deformation of the laminate involves a global deflection and a local buckling.The antipenetrating contact efects are characterized by the local buckling and are intrinsic properties of the laminates,relying only on the geometries of the delamination and the material properties.Parametric analyses show that the location and size of the contact areas and the distribution of the contact force are hardly afected by the aspect ratio.     

复杂载荷下复合材料对称层合板的椭圆形分层屈曲

应用Ｒａｙｌｅｉｇｈ－Ｒｉｔｚ法对含有单个椭圆形分层的复合材料对称层板在压剪载荷联合作用下的脱层屈曲问题进行了分析计算。给出相应于不同的椭圆长短半轴之比ａ／ｂ值下及不同椭回主轴的偏角时，脱层屈曲的临界应变值。此计算考虑了层板的拉伸剪切藕合刚度影响及子层本身弯曲－扭转耦合刚度，和拉伸－弯曲耦合刚度的影响，给出有工程参考价值的计算结果。     

具脱层轴对称层合圆柱壳的振动模态分析

对具环向贯穿脱层的轴对称层合圆柱壳进行振动模态分析.首先,采用Heaviside阶梯函数,构造了一种适合于脱层壳的位移模式.通过对脱层壳的能量分析,应用瑞利--里兹法后,得到用时间函数表示的系统振动控制方程,然后对其求解,得到脱层壳模态分析的特征方程式.算例中,讨论了不同的脱层位置、脱层大小和脱层深度对脱层壳振动模态的影响.     

Investigation of the plane stress state of a multilayer structure under heat variations

Now that composite materials are used in various fields of technology, their resistance to heat variations, which cause additional stresses because of noncoinciding layer thermal expansion coefficients, becomes increasingly topical. Apparently, the first study in this field was performed in [1], where the stress state in beam-like thermostats was determined. In [2], it was shown that delamination moments arise at the ends of two-layer beams, and the possibility of their influence on the process of delamination of two-layer composites was considered. In [3], in a similar setting, delamination stresses in multilayer structures were considered. In [4–7], the stresses at the edges of two-layer beams were calculated. We note that in all these papers the main assumptions of beam theory were used, which were confirmed experimentally for the analysis of beams.     

Closure effects in delaminated graphite epoxy laminate under compression

Flaws in composite laminates may result in a severe loss of static and dynamic strength. Such flaws may be inherent or gained by misadventure. The extent of this loss can be influenced by several factors including loading, laminate stacking sequence, lamina properties, flaw size and damage type.In this study, the free-edge delamination of a laminated composite under compression loading is investigated. Computational, analytical and experimental tests are performed on a graphite/epoxy laminate AS4/3501-6 containing near surface edge defects and the crack opening behaviour is investigated.The computational analysis consists of a three dimensional finite element model where the plies can be catered for individually and interply delamination modelled. In the experimental investigations, a delamination is simulated by inserting teflon film at appropriate locations during the lay-up process.