Volume 14, Issue 5, 2005

An Energy-Based FEM Technique for Analysing Delamination Development in Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (FRP)

Chengye Fan1 P.-Y. Ben Jar1 and J.J. Roger Cheng2

1Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2G8
2Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, T6G 2G7

(Received 12/05; accepted 2/06 )

Abstract
This paper presents a technique that uses finite element method (FEM) to analyse energy release rate (G) for delamination growth in fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP). Using end-notched-flexure specimen as an example, G values obtained from the technique show excellent agreement with those from compliance derivative or virtual crack closure techniques that have been widely accepted for this purpose. The new technique has the advantage on its simplicity for the G calculation and provides potentials for the prediction of a complex delamination growth pattern that often exists in large FRP structures when subjected to complex loading.
KEYWORDS: finite element method, delamination, energy release rate, ENF, FRP

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