PREDICTION OF MODE-I FRACTURE-TOUGHNESS OF A LAMINATED FIBER COMPOSITE FROM MATRIX FRACTURE-TOUGHNESS OF THE BASIC LAYER

This paper deals with mode I fracture toughness prediction of a multidirectional laminated composite, whose fracture is dominated by matrix fracture and has the same layer composition, from the lowest (or matrix fracture) toughness of the basic layer. Two methods, one based on the stress approach and the other based on the energy approach to fracture, are presented. Theoretically predicted data compare well with experimental values reported in the literature.