A procedure for superposing linear cohesive laws to represent multiple damage mechanisms in the fracture of composites

The relationships between a resistance curve (R-curve), the corresponding fracture process zone length, the shape of the traction-displacement softening law, and the propagation of fracture are examined in the context of the through-the-thickness fracture of composite laminates. A procedure for superposing linear cohesive laws to approximate an experimentally-determined R-curve is proposed. Simple equations are developed for determining the...