Crack Growth Resistance of Random Fiber Composites

Abstract
Crack growth resistance of a random glass fiber composite has been studied by applying the concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics. The crack growth resistance curves (R-curves) for epoxy and polyester composites have been developed to study the total fracture behavior of these composites. It is shown that the R-curve approach is suitable for these type of materials. An attempt has been made to use the information from the R-curves to predict the fracture strength of plate specimens with a hole at the center and subjected to tensile loading.