Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Towards a Predictive Design Methodology Based on the Physical Modelling of the Fracture of Fiber Composites

  • Published:
Applied Composite Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A predictive design methodology based on modelling the fracture stress (notched tensile strength) and post-fatigue residual strength of laminated fiber composites is presented. The approach is based explicitly on the development of models of the physical processes by which damage accumulates at a notch-tip and the application of these models to cross-ply laminates for a variety of material systems, including thermosetting and thermoplastic matrices containing carbon, glass and Kevlar fiber reinforcements. The effects of temperature and humidity on composite fracture can also be examined in the context of this modelling strategy.

A pre-requisite of the model is that it has to be calibrated for each material system by performing tensile tests on notched and unnotched cross-ply laminate. From this initial calibration, which takes relatively little time, it is possible to apply the model to a prediction of the dependence of fracture stress on notch size; to an understanding of the effects of laminate stacking sequence (within the same cross-ply family) on fracture stress; and to provide insight into the effects of thermal or load cycling history on fatigue damage-growth and residual or fatigue strength.

The advantages and deficiencies of this modelling strategy are assessed, as well as the applicability of such a physical modelling approach to the predictive design and failure of composite materials in general.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lagace, P. A., Spearing, S. M. and McManus, H. L. N., 'A Proposed Methodology for the Failure and Durability of Composite Structures', Proceedings of the 11th DoD/NASA/FAA Conference on Fibrous Composites in Structural Design, Fort Worth, 1996.

  2. Ashby, M. F., 'Physical Modelling of Material Problems', Mat. Sci. & Tech. 8, 1992, 102‐111.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ashby, M. F., 'Technology of the 1990s: Advanced Materials and Predictive Design', Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A322, 1987, 393‐407.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Awerbuch, J. and Madhukar, M. S., 'Notched Strength of Composite Laminates: Predictions and Experiments ‐ A Review', J. Reinf. Plas. Comp. 4, 1985, 3‐159.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lo, K. H., Wu, E. M. and Konishi, D. Y., 'The Failure Strength of Notched Composite Laminates', J. Comp. Mat. 17, 1983, 384‐398.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Spearing, S. M., Lagace, P. A. and McManus, H. L. N., 'On the Role of Lengthscale in the Prediction of Failure of Composite Structures: Assessment and Needs', 10th International Conference on Composite Materials, Whistler, BC, Canada, IV-49, 1995. Published by Woodhead Publishers.

  7. Kortschot, M. T. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage-Based Notched Strength Modeling: A Summary', ASTM STP 1110, 1993, 55‐71.

  8. Spearing, S. M., Beaumont, P.W. R. and Ashby, M. F., 'Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Notched Graphite‐Epoxy Laminates' in Composite Materials Fatigue and Fracture, Edited by T. K. O'Brien, ASTM STP 1110, 1991, 596‐616.

  9. Mandell, J. F., Wang, S. S. and McGarry, F. J., 'The Extension of Crack Tip Damage zones in Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminates', J. Comp. Mat. 9, 1975, 266‐287.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Spearing, S. M., Beaumont, P. W. R. and Kortschot, M. T., 'The Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Notched Carbon Fibre/PEEK Laminates', Composites 23, 1992, 305‐311.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cowley, K. D. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials at Elevated Temperature', Tech. Report CUED/C-MATS/TR 235. To be published in Comp. Sci. Tech. (1997) in four parts.

  12. Cowley, K. D. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'The Micromechanics of Crack Growth in Fibre Composites: Observing and Modelling the Failure Processes', 10th International Conference on Composite Materials, Whistler, BC, Canada, I-787-801, 1995. Published by Woodhead Publishers, Abingdon, Cambridge, UK.

  13. Flynn, M., 'Notch Tip Damage in Kevlar/Epoxy Composites', Undergraduate Project Report, Cambridge University Engineering Dept., 1990 (unpublished).

  14. Dimant, R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Laminates', Ph.D. thesis, Cambridge University, 1994.

  15. Kress, G., 'Fatigue Response of Notched Graphite‐Epoxy Laminates', DFVLR (Braunschweig), Report, IB-131-84/04, 1984.

  16. Kortschot, M. T. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials I: Measurement of Damage and Strength', Composite Science and Technology 39, 1990, 289‐ 302.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kortschot, M. T. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials II: A Damage-based Notched Strength Model', Composite Science and Technology 39, 1990, 303‐326.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kortschot, M. T. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials III: Prediction of Damage Growth and Notched Strength', Composite Science and Technology 40, 1991, 147‐166.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kortschot, M. T. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials IV: Effect of Lay-up on Damage Growth and Notched Strength', Composite Science and Technology 40, 1991, 167‐180.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Spearing, S. M. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials I: Experimental Measurement of Damage and Post-Fatigue Properties', Comp. Sci. Tech. 44, 1992, 159‐168.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Spearing, S. M., Beaumont, P. W. R. and Ashby, M. F., 'Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials II: A Damage Growth Model', Comp. Sci. Tech. 44, 1992, 169‐177.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Spearing, S. M. and Beaumont, P. W. R., 'Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials III: Prediction and Post-Fatigue Strength', Comp. Sci. Tech. 44, 1992, 299‐307.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Spearing, S. M., Beaumont, P. W. R. and Smith, P. A., 'Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Composite Materials IV: Prediction of Residual Stiffness', Comp. Sci. Tech. 44, 1992, 309‐317.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Gustafson, C. G. and Hojo, M., 'Delamination Fatigue Crack Growth in Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy Laminates', J. Reinf. Plas. Comp. 6, 1987, 36‐52.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hitchon, J. W. and Phillips, D. C., 'The Effect of Specimen Size on the Strength of CFRP', Composites 9, 1978, 119‐124.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Heredia, F. E., Spearing, S. M., Evans, A. G., Mosher, P. and Curtin, W. A., 'Mechanical Properties of Continuous-Fiber Reinforced Carbon Matrix Composites and Relationships to Constituent Properties', J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 75, 1992, 3017‐3025.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Heredia, F. E., Spearing, S. M., Mackin, T. J., He, M. Y., Mosher, P. and Brønsted, P., 'Notched Effects in Carbon Matrix Composites', J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 77(11), 1994, 2234‐2245.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Zok, F. W., 'Notched Tensile Properties of Ceramic Matrix Composites', Proceedings 221st Annual Cocoa Beach Conference and Exposition on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials and Structures, American Ceramic Society Structures, 1997.

  29. Walker, T. H., Ilcewicz, L. B., Polland, D. R. and Poe, C. C., 'Tension Fracture of Laminates for Transport Fuselage. Part 2: Large Notches', Proceedings Third NASA Advanced Composite Technology Conference 1(2), 1993, 727‐758.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Dopker, B., Murphy, D. P., Ilcewicz, L. B. and Walker, T. H., 'Damage Tolerance Analysis of Composite Transport Fuselage Structure', Proceedings AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference 2, 1994, 803‐810.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wong, G. L., 'The Influence of Environment on Fatigue Damage in Notched Cross-ply Composite Laminates', M.Sc. thesis, Cambridge University Engineering Dept., August, 1993.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology Laboratory for Advanced Composites, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, U.S.A

    S. Mark Spearing

  2. Engineering Department, Cambridge University, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PQ, U.K

    Peter W. R. Beaumont

Authors
  1. S. Mark Spearing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter W. R. Beaumont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spearing, S.M., Beaumont, P.W.R. Towards a Predictive Design Methodology Based on the Physical Modelling of the Fracture of Fiber Composites. Applied Composite Materials 5, 69–94 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008811721083

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008811721083

Search

Navigation