Stress singularities in dissimilar orthotropic composites containing an interlaminar crack

The problem of an interlaminar crack in dissimilar orthotropic composite materials under in-plane and anti-plane loading conditions is investigated. In the analytical model, orthotropic half-spaces are assumed to be bound together by a matrix interlayer which represents the matrix-rich interlaminar region in the fiber-reinforced composite laminate. The crack is embedded within the interlayer. With the utilization of the stiffness matrix approach, a system of singular integral equations of the first kind is derived for the current mixed boundary value problem. Numerical results are obtained for the interlaminar crack in a [0°/90°] fibrous composite laminate subjected to three basic loadings in fracture mechanics. Under each applied loading, variations of major and coupling stress intensity factors with respect to relative crack size, crack location, and fiber volume fraction are illustrated.