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Dynamic fracture of unidirectional graphite fiber composite strips

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Abstract

An approximate equation of motion is derived and is used in the analysis of a dynamically propagating crack in a highly orthotropic fiber composite infinite strip subjected to constant displacement Mode I loading. With the use of Fourier transforms, the problem is reduced to an equation which is solved by the Wiener-Hopf technique. The dynamic stress intensity factor is derived and is expressed as the product of a velocity correction factor and a static stress intensity factor. The corresponding dynamic energy release rate is derived also and it is found not to be explicitly dependent upon the crack-tip velocity. It is found experimentally that the long strip configuration subjected to constant extensional displacement can simulate constant crack propagation velocities. Accordingly, the model's dynamic energy release rate is used to determine the dynamic fracture energy (toughness) of 90° Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite epoxy composites.

Résumé

On déduit une équation approximative de mouvement et on l'utilise dans l'analyse d'une fissure se propageant de manière dynamique dans une bande infinie en fibres composites à haute orthotropicité sujette à une mise en charge de mode I à déplacement constant. En utilisant les transformées de Fourier, on ramène le problème à une équation qui est solutionable par la technique de Wiener-Hopf. Le facteur d'intensité de contrainte dynamique en est déduit et est exprimé comme le produit d'un facteur de correction de vitesse et d'un facteur d'intensité de contrainte statique. Le taux de relaxation d'énergie dynamique correspondante est également déduit et l'on trouve qu'il n'est pas explicitement dépendant de la vélocité à la pointe de la fissure. On trouve par voie expérimentale que la configuration d'une bande longue soumis à des déplacements constants en traction permet de simuler des vitesses de propagation constante. Dès lors, on utilise le taux de relaxation d'énergie dynamique du modèle à la détermination de l'énergie de rupture dynamique ou ténacité des composites époxygraphites 90° Hercules AS/3501-6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Petros N. Kousiounelos & James H. Williams Jr.

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  1. Petros N. Kousiounelos
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  2. James H. Williams Jr.
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Kousiounelos, P.N., Williams, J.H. Dynamic fracture of unidirectional graphite fiber composite strips. Int J Fract 20, 47–63 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00942164

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00942164

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