Delamination onset in symmetric cross-ply laminates under static loads: Theory, numerics and experiments

In this paper, the delamination onset from transverse cracks in composite cross-ply laminates under static loadings is thoroughly investigated. Initially, an analytical solution is presented for the local mode I, II and III stress fields arising in the close neighbourhoods of a transverse crack, stresses being written as a function of Generalized Stress Intensity Factors (GSIFs). Then, a fracture criterion for the delamination onset in cross-ply laminates under tension, based on a critical value for the mode 1 GSIF, is proposed and validated taking advantage of the results from an experimental campaign carried out in the present work, as well as reconsidering some data taken from the literature.