Large-scale bridging in composites: R-curves and bridging laws

Large-scale bridging was studied experimentally in a unidirectional carbon fibre/epoxy matrix composite material. For intralaminar cracks a significant increase in the crack growth resistance occurred with increasing crack extension. The increase in the crack growth resistance was attributed to fibre cross-over bridging. The R-curve behaviour, i.e. the relationship between crack growth resistance and crack extension depended on specimen...