Mechanical characterization of the interfaces in laminated composites

A new mechanical model representing the interfaces in laminated composites is proposed in this paper. The interfaces are treated as a three dimensionally anisotropic entity of distinct mechanical characteristics from both the bulk adhesives and the constitutional laminae in the composites. The classical composite laminate theory is generalized by including the interfaces (termed bonding-layers in this paper) as additional laminae in the composite system, thus establishing the basis for the analysis of the interface problem. Compared to existent three-dimensional models for the interfaces, the proposed approach is more convenient to acquire the mechanical parameters of the interfaces, avoiding complicated laboratory tests. A numerical example demonstrates the use of the method to give various mechanical properties of the interfaces in laminate composites, exhibiting the promises of the method in tackling the problems of strength and debonding for laminated composites.