Crack density estimation method for composite laminates based on discrete form stiffness degradation models

AbstractMatrix cracking of composite laminates leads to stiffness degradation and dominates the medium leakage of liner-less composite vessels. A stiffness degradation model can be established through the machine learning method, which provides only discrete form equivalent moduli data without explicit analytical results. This paper further explored the use of the discrete form data set of stiffness degradation in the crack density estimation for composite laminates by using an iterative process. Furthermore, different mixed-mode fracture criteria were discussed. The results showed that Benzeggagh-Kenane (B-K) criterion and the power law criterion are more appropriate in mixed-mode crack density analyses.Keywords: Composite laminatesmatrix crackingcrack density predictiondata-drivenstiffness degradation Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis study is supported by the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Power Transmission Technology (Grant No. GEIRI-SKL-2021-009).