| Abstract: | Based upon the Stroh formalism for anisotropic elastic materials and upon the method of eigenfunction expansion, the stress redistribution due to delamination cracks originating from transverse cracking is examined from 90/0], and 0/90], laminates under extension. The structure of the solution, in the form of a series expansion, is determined from the eigenvalue equation resulting from appropriate near-field conditions. To complete the solution, use is made of a boundary collocation technique in conjunction with the eigenfunction series that includes a large number of terms, enough to represent the elastic state throughout the appropriate domain concerned. The fracture mechanics parameters, such as stress intensity factors and energy release rates, are calculated and the major characteristics of stress distribution are discussed. The stability of delamination cracks is examined for varying ratios of ply thickness in terms of the energy release rate. |
