Evaluation of the Tensor Polynomial Failure Criterion for Composite Materials

Abstract

A comprehensive experimental and analytical evaluation of the tensor polynomial failure criterion was undertaken to determine its capability for predicting the ultimate strength of laminated composite structures subject to a plane stress state. Results are presented demonstrating that a quadratic formulation is too conservative and a cubic representation is required. Strength comparisons with test data derived from glass/epoxy and graph ite/epoxy tubular specimens are also provided to validate the cubic strength criterion.