Extracting the Residual Properties of Cracked Plies Utilizing a Unit Cell Model

Abstract

The methodology utilized in estimating the residual properties of plies with matrix ply cracks is discussed. The technique involves the use of a laminate unit cell and a volume-averaging scheme to extract stress/strain data from a three-dimensional finite element model. The procedure for developing periodic boundary conditions and their implementation in the unit cell models is explained. The volume-averaging scheme capturing the contribution of the crack to the deformation of the laminate is presented. Residual thermo-mechanical properties of the cracked plies were then estimated and compared with experimental results of cross-ply laminates and were found to be in good agreement.

Keywords:

• lamina/ply
• transverse cracking
• finite element analysis (FEA)
• residual properties
• unit cell modeling
• periodicity