Effect of microcracks, such as local matrix crack and fiber breakage, on a macroscale crack in a unidirectional composite plate was studied for various fiber volume fractions, as well as different material properties of fiber and matrix materials. A finite element analysis was performed for this study. It showed that microcracks, located near a macroscale crack tip, resulted in a significant increase of stress intensity factor at the crack tip.
Issue Section:
Research Papers
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Copyright © 1992
by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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