MODELLING OF TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC BLISTER TEST SPECIMEN

In this study, a transversely isotropic elastic layer bonded to a rigid substrate is considered, with the intent of modelling the blister test. The motivation for the study is to incorporate the effect of anisotropy of the layer on the energy release rate associated with the debonding of the layer. A linear elasticity approach is adopted rather than plate theory so the results will be applicable to relatively thick films. In addition to being a model for the blister test, the assumed geometry and loading can also represent the problem of a composite cover plate. The problem is reduced to the solution of a system of singular integral equations of the second kind by using Hankel transforms. These equations are solved for sample cases and numerical results for energy release rates are given