Analysis of a Laminate with a Postbuckled Embedded Delamination, Including Contact Effects

Abstract

The behavior of a postbuckled embedded delamination was studied using geometrically-nonlinear 3-D finite element analysis. Nonlinearities due to both significant rotations and delamination face contact were considered. The analysis showed that the postbuckling deformation can lead to matrix cracking and fiber breakage in addition to delamination growth. These calculations agree qualitatively with experimental results. Also, for the configuration analyzed and moderate strain levels, the strain-energy release rates can be calculated with reasonable accuracy without including contact effects in the analysis