Partition of mixed-mode fractures in 2D elastic orthotropic laminated beams under general loading. (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, J.D.; Harvey, C.M.; Wang, S.
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 149(2016)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: Energy release rate -- Fracture mode partitioning -- Orthotropic laminated composites -- Mixed-mode fracture -- Orthogonal pure modes -- Shear forces; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.04.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: An analytical method for partitioning mixed-mode fractures on rigid interfaces in orthotropic laminated double cantilever beams (DCBs) under through-thickness shear forces, in addition to bending moments and axial forces, is developed by extending recent work by the authors (Harvey et al., 2014). First, two pure through-thickness-shear-force modes (one pure mode I and one pure mode II) are discovered by extending the authors' mixed-mode partition theory for Timoshenko beams. Partition of mixed-mode fractures under pure through-thickness shear forces is then achieved by using these two pure modes in conjunction with two thickness ratio-dependent correction factors: (1) a shear correction factor, and (2) a pure-mode-II energy release rate (ERR) correction factor. Both correction factors closely follow an elegant normal distribution around a symmetric DCB geometry. The principle of orthogonality between all pure mode I and all pure mode II fracture modes is then used to complete the mixed-mode fracture partition theory for a general loading condition, including bending moments, axial forces, and through-thickness shear forces. Excellent agreement is observed between the present analytical partition theory and numerical results from finite element method (FEM) simulations.