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Assessment of split-beam-type tests for mode III delamination toughness determination

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Abstract

Four split-beam-type tests are proposed for determining the mode III delamination toughness of laminated composite materials. Each test is first assessed via three dimensional finite element analysis. Experimental evaluations are then conducted, for which two different unidirectional carbon/epoxy materials are considered. For either material, it is shown that the same mode III toughness is obtained by the four different tests, provided that specimens with the same delamination length are tested. However, when a single test configuration is utilized to investigate the effect of delamination length, the apparent mode III toughness is observed to decrease with increasing delamination length. In order to understand the mechanisms behind this, transverse section cuts were taken at the delamination front of tested specimens. Photomicroscopic examinations of these cross sections revealed matrix cracks at the delamination front that were oriented at an inclination of \(45^{\circ }\) to the plane of the delamination. Based on previous observations of mode III crack initiation in homogeneous materials, it is hypothesized that these matrix cracks initiate prior to or concurrent with delamination advance, and therefore are responsible for the observed geometry-dependence of the mode III delamination toughness in laminated polymeric composites.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank and acknowledge Dr. MW Czabaj, NASA Langley Research Center, and Dr. JG Ratcliffe, National Institute of Aerospace, for their valuable assistance during our initial photomicroscopic evaluations. This work was partially supported by the NASA University Institutes Project, Grant NCC3-989, Claudia Meyer, Project Manager, and by the Exploration Technology Development Program/Advanced Composites Technologies Project, Mark Shuart, Project Manager.

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  1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244-1240, USA

    Allison L. Johnston, Barry D. Davidson & Kiran K. Simon

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  1. Allison L. Johnston
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  2. Barry D. Davidson
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Correspondence to Barry D. Davidson.

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Johnston, A.L., Davidson, B.D. & Simon, K.K. Assessment of split-beam-type tests for mode III delamination toughness determination. Int J Fract 185, 31–48 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-013-9897-1

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