Predicting free edge delamination induced by thermal loading using finite fracture mechanics

• DOI: 10.1007/s10704-024-00817-z
• Publication Date: 2025-02-17T19:49:12Z
• Authors: Mohammad Burhan; Zahur Ullah; Zafer Kazancı; Giuseppe Catalanotti
• Keywords: Delamination

Abstract The material mismatch between the dissimilarly oriented plies within laminated structures induces localised singular interlaminar stresses at free edges, under various loading conditions such as mechanical, moisture, or thermal. These lead to premature cracking. This study introduces application of Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM) for predicting edge delamination in angle-ply laminates uniform thermal loading. current framework assumes nucleation semi-elliptically shaped crack dissimilar interface, resulting a 3D FFM criterion. For given intrinsic properties, e.g. fracture toughness and strength, calculation quantities incremental energy release rates are required. quantities, necessary evaluation criterion, determined semi-analytically through expressions derived from dimensional analysis finite element models. Dimensional facilitates finding these only once using non-dimensionalised functions. functions not function load ply thickness. eliminates requirement re-solve underlying boundary value problem varying loads thicknesses. accuracy models is confirmed against results available literature validated numerical solutions. system solved by assuming homothetic extension implemented standard constrained nonlinear optimisation problem. In addition FFM, another model based on Theory Critical Distances (TCD) employed validation purposes. predictions both TCD compared those literature.