Free-Edge Strain Localization of Cross-Ply Laminates with Different Lamina Arrangements

Abstract

Earlier studies indicated that a failure of a laminate is initiated from a location where there is Free-edge due to a geometrical discontinuity. Numerous efforts have been made to elaborate these free-edge effects using analytical and numerical approaches, nevertheless, only few experimental works have been recorded. Considering the recent advance in Digital Image Correlation , an experimental work is conducted to investigate the effect of free-edge on the failure mechanism of cross-ply laminate under uni-axial tensile loading. The full-field strain including small strain localizations at the free-edge of the specimen are extracted for three groups of cross-ply laminates with distinct stacking arrangements. From the results, it is observed that the variation in the location and arrangement of plies have a direct influence on the quantity and size of the matrix/transverse cracks generated.