Experimental approach for mixed-mode fatigue delamination crack growth with large-scale bridging in polymer composites

John W. Holmes*, Liu Liu, Bent F. Sørensen, Søren Wahlgren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An experimental apparatus utilizing double cantilever beam specimens loaded with uneven bending moments was developed to study the mixed-mode fatigue crack growth in composites. The approach is suitable when large-scale bridging of cracks is present. To illustrate the testing method, cyclic growth of delaminations in a typical fibre-reinforced polymer composite was investigated under a constant cyclic loading amplitude. Pure mode I, mode II and mixed-mode crack growth conditions were examined. The results, analysed using a J-integral approach, show that the double cantilever beam loaded with uneven bending moments configuration provides a robust approach to investigate the fatigue crack growth of composites for pure mode and mixed-mode cracking. A steady-state crack growth regime was observed for mode I and mixed-mode loading. For mode II loading, steady-state was absent, and a progressively decreasing crack growth rate observed. In addition to details concerning the equipment, a general discussion of the development of cyclic bridging laws for delamination growth in the presence of large-scale bridging is provided.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3111-3128
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Composite Materials
Volume48
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Polymer-matrix composites
  • delamination
  • fatigue
  • large-scale bridging
  • mechanical testing
  • mixed-mode loading

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental approach for mixed-mode fatigue delamination crack growth with large-scale bridging in polymer composites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this