Compressive properties of homemade carbon fiber composite laminates with delamination defect

Large numbers of aircraft composite structures were researched, and the distribution of delamination sizes and though thickness positions in the composite laminates were investigated. An experiment was conducted to probe into the effect of delamination sizes and through thickness positions on the compressive strengths of laminates with single embedded circular delamination with the most dangerous delamination sizes and positions defined from the distribution. A shell model was established for compressive strength prediction, and the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) was employed for the strain energy release rate calculation. The finite element (FE) prediction was in good agreement with the experimental measurements, for the predicted compressive strengths stood within 10% error of experimental results. It was observed that the compressive strength was highly effected by the delamination size, while the though thickness position of delamination did not have significant effect on the compressive strength.