THIN-FILM MODELING OF DELAMINATION BUCKLING IN PRESSURE LOADED LAMINATED CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS

Delamination is one of the basic defects inherent to laminated shell structures. Under uniform external pressure such delaminations may buckle and subsequently propagate. This phenomenon is modeled here as a first approximation by considering a two-dimensional geometry (ring approximation) and a thin delaminated layer. Growth is studied by a fracture mechanics-based energy release rate criterion. Closed-form expressions for the critical pressure and growth conditions are derived, as well as for the cutoff level of the delamination range below which local delamination buckling cannot take place. A formulation that accounts for the effects of transverse shearing forces is also presented.