Delamination analysis of tapered laminated composites under tensile loading


Armanios E. A., Parnas K. L.

Third Symposium on Composite Materials: Fatigue and Fracture, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA, 6 - 07 November 1989, pp.340-358 identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA
  • Page Numbers: pp.340-358
  • TED University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze tapered composite laminates under tensile loading. A tapered construction made of S2/SP250 glass/epoxy laminate was used to achieve a thickness reduction using three consecutive dropped plies over a distance of 60 ply thicknesses. The principle of minimum complementary potential energy was used to determine interlaminar stresses. The interlaminar peel stress distribution shows a higher tensile intensity at the taper/thin portion juncture. The total strain energy release rate is determined using a simplified membrane model. Results are compared with a finite element simulation.