Numerical investigation into failure of laminated composite T-piece specimens under tensile loading

This paper presents a rigorous numerical investigation into the structural response of a composite laminate T-piece specimen subjected to a mechanical “pull-off” load case. Initially, a linear elastic stress analysis is conducted, showing very high stresses at the free-edge. In a further analysis, special-purpose interface elements are then inserted where appropriate and used to predict both the crack pattern and the load to failure. It is...