Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Supervisor
Dr. Jeff T. Wood
Abstract
Design of continuous fiber-polymer composite components with optimized and predictable energy dissipation requires a failure criterion able to predict the fracture energy of CFP composites for all mixed-mode loading conditions. Existing mixed-mode failure criteria are empirical and show poor correlation for a range of CFP composites. Therefore, a universally applicable criterion based on constituent material properties and operative failure mechanisms is required. A novel mechanistic failure criterion for CFP composites is proposed. The criterion considers resin fracture strength, hackle formation, interfacial debonding, the crack tip plastic zone and interply vs interyarn delamination. Experimental data obtained by mixed-mode testing of continuous fiber-polymer composites and evaluation of the properties of the associated polymer and reinforcement is used to support the criterion.
Recommended Citation
Bruce, Thomas P., "Mechanistic Mixed-Mode Failure Criterion for Continuous Fiber-Polymer Composites" (2011). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 349.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/349