CONTINUUM DAMAGE MECHANICS FOR MICROCRACKED COMPOSITES

Using a micromechanical model, the general form of the damage tensor is determined for a unidirectional fibre-reinforced composite, in the case of damage due to microcracking parallel to the fibre direction. All components of the damage tensor are evaluated, using a method based on the elastic energy changes. This preliminary investigation is applied to a model of continuum damage mechanics which predicts the behaviour of damaged homogeneous materials equivalent to the damaged unidirectional one. The laminate damage behaviour model is obtained from the classical laminate theory for an equivalent material. The prediction of the model is compared with the results of experimental investigations performed on a glass-epoxy laminate.