Mode I and II Interlaminar Fracture in Laminated Composites: A Size Effect Study

This work investigates the mode I and II interlaminar fracturing behavior of laminated composites and the related size effects. Fracture tests on geometrically scaled double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notch flexure (ENF) specimens were conducted. The results show a significant difference between the mode I and mode II fracturing behaviors. The strength of the DCB specimens scales according to the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM),...