A theoretical model of matrix cracking in composite laminates under thermomechanical loading

A theoretical approach is presented for analyzing the ply cracking in general symmetric laminates subjected to any combination of in-plane mechanical loading and uniform temperature changes. The equivalent constraint model proposed by the authors in a previous work is used to account for the cracking interaction between laminae in the laminates. By using a superposition scheme and the stress field solutions the energy release rate for a ply cracking is explicitly expressed as a function of stiffness reduction parameters of the laminates. The ratio of mode I to mode II is introduced for construction of the fracture criterion. The effects of the laminate parameters and the crack spacing on the energy release rate and the mode mixity are illustrated. Finally, the model is used to predict the thermomechanical load for the first-ply-cracking. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19972076) and the Germen Research Foundation (DFG).