Analysis of Test Specimens for Interlaminar Mode II Fracture Toughness, Part 1. Elastic Laminates

Abstract

Results from approximate and exact stress analyses are reported for elastic stress and displacement fields in two interlaminar mode II fracture toughness specimens. End-notched flexure tests for laminates and unidirectional composites are studied in detail. Based on approximate closed form solutions for energy release rates procedures are suggested for fitting compliance versus delamination length data. Such procedures should be followed when through the thickness shear moduli of the layers are small as compared to axial moduli.