Damage history in composite laminates: Matrix cracks leading to delaminations

Strain energy release rate calculations for various cases of delaminations emanating from matrix cracks are developed and used to predict the onset of delaminations and their growth size as a function of applied tension and shear loads in composite laminates. The method determines the matrix crack spacing, the delamination onset load, the delamination size at onset and, through the use of a newly proposed delamination resistance curve, the size of delaminations as they grow under load. The method can be applied to any symmetric laminate. Comparisons to test results in the literature for a variety of layups and materials shows very good agreement with the exception of cases where significant edge delaminations appear before delaminations caused by matrix cracks.