R-curve modelling of mode I delamination in multidirectional carbon/epoxy composite laminates

Abstract

In the present work, the mode I delamination behaviour of a quasi-isotropic quasihomogeneous carbon/epoxy composite laminate with adjacent plies of 0°//45° is studied numerically. To describe the R-curve behaviour observed during crack propagation, a linearexponential traction-separation law is proposed, where the fracture toughness and the increment in the fracture energy could be considered separately in the model. This model is then implemented in the finite element simulation of the delamination process in the composite laminate. Numerical results indicate that with the incorporation of the fibre bridging effect leads to a well-predicted force-displacement response of the composite laminates.