Numerically-based method for fracture characterization of Mode I-dominated two-dimensional delamination in FRP laminates

A new numerically-based method suitable for determining the total strain energy release rate (SERR) involved in two-dimensional (2D) Mode I-dominated delamination under opening loads in FRP laminates is presented. The method is based on the mutual dependence of the load vs opening displacement curves slope exhibited after the full development of the fracture process zone (FPZ) and the total SERR involved in the delamination process. The equation...