Modelling of Multiple Transverse Cracks In Angle - Ply Laminates

Multiple transverse cracking is one of the most common fai'ure modes in composite laminates. In this paper, transverse crack behaviour in 1±0/90°], angle-ply
composite laminates under uniaxial loading has been studied by 3D finite element method. Energy method is used for calculating strain energy release rate and stiffness
reduction as the crack extends in the width direction. A control volume having a single transverse crack has been used for the analysis. Eight noded isonarametric layered
composite elements with three degrees of freedom per node have been used to discretise the control volume. Load is applied in longitudinal direction via uniform applied
displacements through the ±0 outer layers. Strain energy release rate and stiffness reduction are calculated for different crack lengths, crack densities and fibre orientation angle 0 of the outer layers. From the analysis it has been observed that strain energy release rate increases with the increase in fibre orientation angle 0 of the outer layers. However, the variation of strain energy release rate in width direction is negligible.
Stiffness reduction has been noticed with increase in fibre orientation angle 0 and crack density.