Damage Progression in Unidirectionally Arrayed Chopped Strands Laminates with Different Slit Patterns under Tension

摘要

This study investigates the damage progression in unidirectionally arrayed chopped strands (UACS) laminates with different slit patterns under tension. Three slit patterns, namely, continuous angled slits, discontinuous staggered angled slits, and discontinuous bi-angled slits, are analyzed based on the cohesive zone model. It is found that the delamination between 0-degree ply and its adjacent plies occurs initiatively at the points of intersection between slits in 0-degree ply and in its adjacent plies. Good agreement is seen from the comparison of numerical results with the previous experiment results. Both results reveal that the discontinuous slit can efficiently inhibit the development of delamination.