Failure criteria for FRP laminates

ABSTRACT: A new set of six phenomenological failure criteria for fiber-reinforced polymer laminates denoted LaRC03 is described. These criteria can predict matrix and fiber failure accurately, without the curve-fitting parameters. For matrix failure under transverse compression, the angle of the fracture plane is solved by maximizing the Mohr-Coulomb effective stresses. A criterion for fiber kinking is obtained by calculating the fiber misalignment under load and applying the matrix failure criterion in the coordinate frame of the misalignment. Fracture mechanics models of matrix cracks are used to develop a criterion for matrix failure in tension and to calculate the associated in situ strengths. The LaRC03 criteria are applied to a few examples to predict failure load envelopes and to predict the failure mode for each region of the envelope. The analysis results are compared to the predictions using other available failure criteria and with experimental results. KEY WORDS: polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), matrix cracking, crack, failure criterion