Abstract:

The article presents a new method of delamination modelling in a fabric-reinforced laminate using a shell-beam mesoscale FE model. This original laminate model enables the analysis of the resistance of composite structures in which the reinforcement can be technical fabric of various weaves or a layer of parallel rovings, e.g. made of carbon fibres.  It includes an experimental part in which flat specimens of laminate were delaminated according to three basic schemes: tensile opening, sliding shear and tearing shear. The aim of the experimental studies was to obtain load-displacement curves, which were used to define the conditions of initiation and propagation conditions of cracks in the calculation model as well as to perform theirexperimental verification. Specimens of the laminate tested were modelled using a mesoscale FE model, in which the components, i.e. the rovings, were modelled in a simplified manner with finite elements of the beam type and a matrix with finite elements of the shell type. The bondings between adjacent laminate layers were also modelled with beam elements. The simulation results were compared with those of experimental delamination tests, and the convergence obtained confirmed the correctness of the modelling method developed.