A new fibre bridging based analysis of the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 42; no. 10; pp. 1361 - 1368
• Main Author: de Morais, A.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); Applied sciences; B. Delamination; B. Fracture toughness; Bridging; C. Analytical modelling; Cantilever beams; carbon; Crack propagation; energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fibre; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics; glass fibers; Glass fibre; Laminates; Monitoring; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; testing; C. Analytical modelling; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); B. Fracture toughness; B. Delamination; Laminate; Strain energy; Unidirectional fiber material; Fiber reinforced material; Theoretical study; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Mineral fiber; Modeling; Composite material; Fracture toughness; Finite element method; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Numerical simulation; Measurement method; Glass fiber; Delamination; Monitoring; Double cantilever beam; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.05.019

A new analysis was developed for the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test. Its main objective is to compute mode I critical strain energy release rates
G
Ic
unaffected by fibre bridging. In fact, the latter phenomenon often observed in standard unidirectional specimens is not considered representative of most structural applications. The analysis developed applies a relatively simple numerical procedure to experimental load–displacement data for the initial crack propagation stages. Moreover, it does not require monitoring crack propagation during the tests. Application to experimental data for carbon and glass fibre composites gave consistent propagation
G
Ic
that were similar to initiation values, thereby supporting the main assumptions of the proposed model.