Mixed-mode translaminar fracture of plain-weave composites

The present study characterizes translaminar fracture in plain-weave, fabric-reinforced composite under mixed-mode loads. From fractography of the fracture specimen, the effect of mixity on the failure mechanisms and crack paths is established. Finite element analysis is performed using effective elastic properties of the composite material obtained from meso-scopic analysis. The fracture properties are characterized based on modified compliance method assuming quasi-brittle behavior of the composite. Higher mixity is shown to encourage fiber–matrix debonding which while lowers the fracture toughness for initiation of an effective crack, results in significantly higher energy dissipation for continued stable growth of the effective crack.