Simulation of Mode I Strain Energy Release Rate for Rectangular Laminated Composite Plate Using a Simple Finite Element Model

In this paper the critical strain energy release rate for T300/913 carbon-epoxy laminated composites has been studied using ANSYS finite element software based on virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). Compact Tension (CT) specimen has been used for numerical analyses and the geometrical dimensions have been extracted from the existing references. The results obtained from the finite element analysis are compared with the existing experimental results in literature. There is good agreement between the critical energy release rate obtained from finite element analysis and the experimental results. Accuracy and simplicity of presented model make it appropriate for predicting the experimental results and improving experimental techniques. The innovation of the present research is the simplicity of the model for simulation of the critical strain energy release rate of the laminated composites.