A study of fatigue damage and fatigue life of composite laminates

Wen Fang Wu, L. J. Lee, S. T. Choi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The fatigue damage and fatigue life of a batch of [±45°]2, graphite/epoxy composite laminates are investigated in the present study. Residual stiffness is selected as a parameter to describe the degradation behavior of the composite laminates. In order to predict the fatigue life and residual stiffness of such laminates, a simple model which contains a residual stiffness degradation equation and the randomization of its parameters is proposed. A Markov chain model is also employed. Both models can be used to predict the probability distribution of the degraded stiffness at a specified loading cycle. The probability distribution of loading cycles for the residual stiffness to degrade to a certain amount can be predicted as well. Experimental data verify the applicability of both models to the studied composite laminates. According to the data, a simple relation between the ultimate strength and fatigue life of the laminates is also found. The relation provides us with quick estimation of the fatigue life of a component based on its ultimate strength which can usually be obtained very easily.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-137
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Composite Materials
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A study of fatigue damage and fatigue life of composite laminates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this