A Critical-Element Model of the Residual Strength and Life of Fatigue-Loaded Composite Coupons

This paper addresses the basic question of how to develop a mechanistic cumulative damage model that has the capability of describing and predicting the strength and life of high-modulus continuous-fiber composite laminates subjected to general cyclic loading. The paper is a first step in philosophy from phenomenological descriptions of composite laminate fatigue behavior to mechanistic modeling based on the physics and mechanics of the details of the laminate response during cyclic loading. The major point of departure of the present effort from prior modeling activities is the mechanistic approach.