Approach of Probabilistic Characterization of Progressive Damage Process in Laminated Composite Materials

Abstract

This work is motivated by demanding reliability requirements exemplified by ultra-low failure probabilities for aircraft composite structures designed according to damage tolerance criteria. The main objective of this work is the development of an experimental probabilistic implementation to characterize progressive damage in laminated composite components. This is demonstrated as a stochastic process on examples of typical thick laminated composite beams under bending load conditions. The developed approach is primarily focused on laminated composite materials and structures with predominantly interlaminar damage modes. It considers both the random damage initiation and growth of multiple interlaminar damages. Demonstration of the approach is considered on an example of thick commerciallyavailable carbon-fiber IM7/8552 laminated composite beams under multi-point bending loads. Significant variability of damage patterns is illustrated. Finally, preliminary comparison of generated statistical test results with corresponding independent probabilistic modeling predictions is performed and discussed.