A simple method for the evaluation of fracture toughness of a multi-layered laminate based on the failure stress of sub-laminates

A simple analytical method is presented that can be used to predict the intralaminar fracture toughness of multilayered composite laminate based on the failure stresses of its sub laminates. MCCI approach is followed to verify the fracture toughness of a base laminate and the method is validated comparing the available test data on the toughness value of the base laminate with the prediction. It is observed that a better representation of carbon —epoxy base laminate by its sub laminate gives very good agreement in prediction within 3%.