Interlaminar Strength Analysis of Bonded Carbon Fiber Rods

Interlaminar failure of bonded composite structures is quite often. Nowadays there is a lot of lightweight high reliability carbon or glass fiber (CFRP or GFRP) reinforced polymer composite constructions with bonded carbon or glass fiber rods. In order to better understand the delamination processes of the rods, analytical equations were analyzed. Later, mode I interlaminar failure experiments with CFRP rods 3x3 mm were performed and fracture toughness [G.sub.Ic] = 135 J/[m.sup.2] was found. According to the analytic equations, experiment and values, given literature, finite element model (FEM) of the bonded carbon fiber rods was created in software LS-Dyna. Most of the differences between experimental and simulated force-displacement curves are not higher than 6% what validates the FEM of the bonded CFRP rods. Also, additional methods, such as peridynamics of the bond area of the rods were analyzed. Offered finite element approach of the bonded CFRP rods is very useful for FEM creation to design and evaluate high reliability CFRP or GFRP constructions.