Zoubir Ayadi

Applicability of Solutions for Periodic Intralaminar Crack Distributions to non-Uniformly Damaged Laminates

Stiffness reduction simulation in laminates with intralaminar cracks is usually performed assuming that cracks are equidistant and crack density is the only parameter needed. However, the crack distribution in the damaged layer is very non-uniform, especially in the initial stage of multiple cracking. In this article, the earlier developed model for general symmetric laminates is generalized to account for non-uniform crack distribution. This model, in which the normalized average crack-opening and crack-sliding displacements are the main characteristics of the crack, is used to calculate the axial modulus of cross-ply laminates with cracks in internal and surface layers. In parametric analysis, the crack-opening displacement and crack-sliding displacement are calculated using finite element method, considering the smallest versus the average crack spacing ratio as non-uniformity parameter. It is shown that assuming uniform distribution, we obtain lower bond to elastic modulus. A ‘double-periodic’ approach presented to calculate the crack-opening displacement of a crack in a non-uniform case as the average of two solutions for periodic crack systems is very accurate for cracks in internal layers of cross-ply laminates, whereas for high crack density in surface layers, it underestimates the modulus reduction.

Damage Characterization in Glass Fiber/Epoxy Laminates Using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

The degradation of the elastic properties of composite laminates with intralaminar cracks is caused by reduced stress in the damaged layer which is mainly due to two parameters: the crack opening displacement (COD) and the crack sliding displacement (CSD). In this paper these parameters are measured experimentally, providing laminate stiffness reduction models with valuable information for validation of used assumptions and for defining limits of their application. In particular, the displacement field on the edges of a [0/ +704/ −704]s glass fiber/epoxy laminate specimens with multiple intralaminar cracks is studied, and the COD and CSD dependence on the applied mechanical load is measured. The specimen full-field displacement measurement is carried out using ESPI (electronic speckle pattern interferometry). By studying the displacement discontinuities, the crack face displacements were measured. A comparison between the COD and the CSD (for the same crack) is performed.

Use of full-field measurements to evaluate analytical models for laminates with intralaminar cracks

Full-field displacement measurements between intralaminar cracks in cross-ply laminates were performed to evaluate the accuracy of shear lag models and Hashin’s model. The dependence of the average crack opening displacement on the crack density was measured and compared with model predictions. It was found that Hashin’s model overestimates the average COD by at least 25%. The value of the shear lag parameter was back-calculated by fitting. With the same goal the strain in the middle between two cracks was measured rendering shear lag parameter which was only 1% different. The found value does not agree with any of the used shear lag models. Measurement shows nonzero intralaminar shear zones in both layers covering a part of the ply thickness.

Growth and Interaction of Debonds in Local Clusters of Fibers in Unidirectional Composites during Transverse Loading

Fiber/matrix debonding in transverse tensile loading of a unidirectional composite is analyzed calculating energy release rate (ERR) for interface crack propagation. Non-uniform fiber distribution (local hexagonal fiber clustering) is assumed in the model. The matrix region containing the central fiber with the debond and the 6 surrounding fibers is embedded in a large block of homogenized composite which has the same fiber content as the region analyzed explicitly. Some of the fibers surrounding the central fiber may also have a debond. The effect of the local clustering and of the presence of other debonds on magnification of the ERR is analyzed.

CHARACTERIZATION OF DAMAGED COMPOSITE LAMINATES BY AN OPTICAL MEASUREMENT OF THE DISPLACEMENT FIELD

The degradation of the elastic properties of composite laminates with intralaminar cracks is caused by reduced stress in the damaged layer which is mainly due to two parameters: the crack opening displacement (COD) and the crack sliding displacement (CSD). In this paper these parameters are measured experimentally providing laminate stiffness reduction models with valuable information for validation of used assumptions and for defining limits of their application. In particular, the displacement field on the edges of a [0/ +704/ −704]s glass fiber/epoxy laminate specimens with multiple intralaminar cracks is studied and the COD and CSD dependence on the applied mechanical load is measured. The specimen full-field displacement measurement is carried out using ESPI (Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry). By studying the displacement discontinuities, the crack face displacements were measured. A comparison between the COD and the CSD (for the same crack) is performed.

Evaluation of Elastic and Plastic Properties of Ni50Al50(at. %) and (Ni40,Pt10)Al50(at. %) Single Crystals Oriented by Means of Scanning Acoustic Microscopy and Depth Sensing Indentation

Scanning acoustic microscopy and depth sensing indentation are two techniques used for extracting Youngs, shear, and indentation moduli as well as the hardness of materials. In this work, we have applied these techniques on Ni50Al50(at. %) and (Ni-40,Pt-10)Al-50(at. %) single crystals oriented (1 0 0) and (1 1 1) to measure their Youngs modulus by two different techniques of local measurement and also the hardness of these alloys. Quantitative measurements highlight that the addition of 10 at.% of platinum induces a 5% decrease of Youngs modulus (from 195 to 184 GPa) homogeneously spread over the surface orientations investigated, an 8% decrease of the indentation modulus, and a 40% increase of hardness without orientation effect.

Degradation of elastic properties of non-uniformly damaged composite laminates

Stiffness reduction model for laminates with non-uniformly distributed intralaminar cracks is presented and used to analyze the effect of non-uniformity and the accuracy of predictions based on uniform spacing. The values of the normalized crack opening displacement (COD) as affected by the presence of other cracks are used to calculate the axial modulus of cross-ply laminates with cracks. The COD is calculated using finite element method (FEM), considering two closest neighbors of the crack and using the smallest versus the average crack spacing ratio as non-uniformity parameter. Assuming uniform spacing the axial modulus reduction is overestimated. A double-periodic approach is presented to calculate the COD of a crack in a non-uniform case as the average of two solutions for periodic crack systems.