No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Experimental studies are carried out to determine the interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional laminates made of M55J/M18 carbon/epoxy material under different mixed mode ratios (G I /G II). A mixed mode delamination fracture criterion using mixed mode bending specimens is developed. It is observed that when loading in mode I is predominant, G II has a considerable value but the opposite is not true when mode II is predominant.

The fracture response of brittle materials like concrete can be characterised using modified linear elastic fracture mechanics models, such as the rising resistance curve (R-curve). In this study, the R-curve, determined by utilising the experimental response in the notched beam test with mode I fracture, is proposed as a measure of the toughness of fibre-reinforced concretes (FRCs). The unambiguity of the R-curve obtained is assessed by comparing the predicted flexural response of specimens of different geometries with experimental data. The variation in the R-curves with the dosage of steel and polymer fibres is also discussed.