DAMAGE MECHANICS OF COMPOSITE-MATERIALS .1. MEASUREMENTS OF DAMAGE AND STRENGTH

A new approach for modelling the strength of notched composites has been developed. The approach is based on the assumption that subcritical damage modifies the notch-tip stress field and that the state of subcritical damage just before failure, referred to as the terminal damage state (TDS), must have a significant influence on notched strength. The TDS was monitored for a wide range of cross-ply graphite reinforced epoxy specimens using real-time radiography. A finite element model incorporating the TDS was used to determine the modified notch-tip stress field. A simple tensile stress failure criterion has been found to predict failure very well provided that the effect of subcritical damage is considered in this way. The effect of both layup and notch size on strength can be entirely accounted for by the effect these parameters have on the terminal damage state. In the first paper of a four-part series, radiographs of c. 60 specimens have been used to characterize the notch-tip damage zone and to establish a qualitative relationship between terminal damage and notched strength. © 1990.