Predictions of the original and truncated maximum-strain failure models for certain fibrous composite laminates

This article represents the author's contribution to a world-wide exercise originated in UK and aimed at confirming the state-of-the-art for prediction of failure in composites. The use of the original and truncated versions of the maximum-strain failure criterion for fibre/polymer composites is illustrated by sample solutions of specific problems provided by the organizers of the exercise. The intent of this exercise is to compare the independent predictions for these same problems made by several originators of composite failure models-both with each other and with the experimental data to be supplied later. The organizers' requests covered both failure envelopes and stress/strain curves. Only the former are addressed here. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.