Analysis of crack propagation in double cantilever beam tests of multidirectional laminates

Abstract

This paper presents numerical analyses of crack propagation in double cantilever beam (DCB) tests of multidirectional laminates. Three-dimensional finite element models were used for application of the virtual crack closure technique and for simulation of crack growth with a progressive damage model. The analyses were concerned with three features that may affect the measurements of the mode I critical strain energy release rate GIc : residual stresses, mode-mixity and curved delamination fronts. The results showed that the effects of those features could be minimised by a proper selection of specimen stacking sequences. The suitability of other DCB specimens proposed in the literature to avoid intralaminar damage and crack jumping was also evaluated.