Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Energy Release Rate of Glass/Epoxy specimens Subjected to Mode 1 Loading
Keywords:
Energy release rate, De-lamination, Virtual crack closure technique (VCCT).Abstract
In the present study the ASTM standards for the double cantilever beam specimens are
examined to determine the specifications of the specimens to be prepared. The double
cantilever beam specimens with rectangular cross section are prepared with a pre- crack at
the center of depth of specimen using glass/epoxy. Three sets of specimens are prepared for
three different volumes of fiber and epoxy. These specimens and are subjected to tensile
loading to obtain the crack propagation load using universal testing machine. Using this
value of load experimental energy release rate is calculated. . Numerical analysis is then
done to obtain energy release rate in ANSYS by virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). The
results obtained give the information about effect of varying the glass epoxy volume on
energy release rate. The results obtained are also used to compare experimental results and
numerical results.
