Modeling of fatigue crack growth in notched fiber metal laminates

The fatigue crack growth rate in notched fiber metal laminates under constant amplitude fatigue loading was studied analytically and experimentally. An analytical approach was used for predicting the crack growth rate with an empirical Paris-type equation, where the effective stress intensity factor in the metal layer is modulated by a bridging factor. The dimensionless bridging factor is calculated by the normalized bridging stress intensity factor with respect to the remote stress intensity factor. The S– N curve was also calculated based on the predicted crack growth rate and the crack initiation life. A 3-D finite element method was established to predict the delamination profile during crack growth. Good agreement was achieved between the prediction and experimental results.