International Journal of Engineering Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Modelling and Analysis of Mode-I and Mode-II Delamination Onset in Composite Laminates

Author : Supreeth S ¹ Manjunath S. B. ²

Date of Publication :21st June 2018

Abstract: A composite is a structural material that consists of two or more constituents combined at a macroscopic level and not soluble in each other. The advantages of composites over conventional materials are its Lightweight, High Strength, Design flexibility, Dimensional Stability etc. Although composite materials are advantageous than conventional materials, there are some defects in composite materials too, which are Fibre-matrix debonding, fiber misalignment, Delamination, Matrix cracking, Impact damage etc. Among these defects, Delamination is one of the major modes of failure for composite materials wherein separation of two adjacent plies in a composite laminate takes place. Delamination can be studied using two approaches, viz., Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), Cohesive Zone Modelling (CZM). VCCT is the study of damage based on the Energy Release rate of the material undergoing Delamination. In the present study, Finite Element Modelling and Engineering analysis of DCB and ENF standard specimens have been carried out by using the VCCT approach. Various parametric studies on the behavior of delamination with different material properties, ply orientations and a case study on different crack lengths are also studied and their effect on Delamination is presented

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