Scaling parameter for fatigue delamination growth in composites under varying load ratios

Fatigue delamination growth in composite laminates is strongly influenced by mean loads or load ratios. Description of this behaviour currently relies on empirical curve fitting, which renders it difficult to predict fatigue lives of composite structures subjected to variable amplitude fatigue loading. This paper presents a new scaling parameter that is consistent with the similitude concept and incorporates the crack-tip shielding effects of...