Estimation of laminate stiffness reduction due to cracking of a transverse ply by employing crack initiation-and propagation-based master curves

The applicability range of toughness-and strength-based criteria for progressive cracking of a transverse layer in a cross-ply composite laminate subjected to tensile loading is considered. Using a deterministic cracking model, approximate relations for the crack density as a function of stress are derived for initiation-and propagation-controlled types of cracking. The master-curve approach is applied to progressive cracking in glass/epoxy laminates. The accuracy of estimation of laminate stiffness reduction by using crack density master curves is evaluated.