Fibre-matrix debonding in transverse cyclic loading of unidirectional composite plies

Abstract

Fatigue of composite materials is of great concern in load-carrying structures. In fact, most failures of composite structures can be attributed to fatigue. Due to the heterogeneity of composite materials at different scales, a large variety of interacting mechanisms contribute to fatigue failure. If the incipient mechanisms at the onset of damage accumulation could be better understood, bases for a physically based fatigue law may be built and measures could be taken in order to extend the lifetime of the material.