Mode Mixity for Orthotropic Interface Delamination in Laminated Composites

The mode mixity is defined based on nonoscillatory strain energy release rate components of delamination between two different orthotropic materials to evaluate the delamination behavior of laminated composites.The result showes that the relative location of the delamination through the thickness influences the mode mixity in a relatively well-regulated way,and that the reinforcement directions of the adjacent plies along the delamination front have a more complicated impact on the mode mixity.This is caused by the bending/twist coupling and bending/bending coupling in the stress field at the crack tip for delamination between multidirectional plies,which completely modifies the stress and strain fields ahead of the crack tip.These kinds of couplings account for the non-uniform distribution of mode mixity values along the delamination front.Application of appropriate mode mixity values is necessary for accurate prediction of delamination growth.