The Behaviour of Cross-Ply Hybrid Matrix Composite Laminates. II. Modelling

In Part 1 of this work experimental data were presented for the initiation and propagation of damage in hybrid matrix and uniform matrix laminates. The data showed that during the extension of cross-ply laminates, either constrained (stable) matrix cracking or brittle (unstable) matrix cracking occurs in the transverse plies, with the transverse ply thickness and level of urethane in the transverse ply determining which type of cracking is observed. In the present paper the stable cracking behavior is modelled using a shear-lag stress analysis combined with an energy balance and the unstable cracking behavior is discussed in terms of a statistical distribution of transverse ply strengths. (Author)