simple model for simulation of mode I strain energy release rate of a rectangular laminated composite

The critical strain energy release rate for T300/913 carbon-epoxy laminated composites has been studied in this paper using ANSYS finite element software based on virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). Compact Tension (CT) specimen has been used for numerical analyses and the geometrical dimensions have been extracted from the existing references. The results obtained from the finite element analysis are compared with the existing experimental results in literature. There is good agreement between the critical energy release rate obtained from finite element analysis and the experimental results. Accuracy and simplicity of presented model make it appropriate for predicting the experimental results and improving experimental techniques. The simplicity of the presented model for simulation of the critical strain energy release rate for the laminated composites is the innovation of the present research.

Keywords:

strain energy release rate , mode I , virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) , CompactTension (CT) specimen , finite element , ANSYS