This paper is concerned with the development and application of an analytical model for predicting fatigue crack growth in fibre‐reinforced metal laminates (FRMLs). An analytical model for the distribution of bridging traction is first introduced. Based upon observations of the delamination shapes in FRMLs under fatigue loading and a model for characterizing delamination growth in FRMLs, a model for predicting crack growth rates in CCT specimens of FRMLs is developed. The model is applied to two GLARE laminates (2/1, 3/2 lay‐ups) under various cyclic stress levels and stress ratios. The predicted crack growth rates are compared with experimental data. The predicted crack growth rates agree well with the experimental results.

The objective of this work is to study the delamination growth hehaviour of hybrid compositealuminium bonded laminates. A modified Double Crack Lap Shear (DCLS) specimen was chosen for this study. An expression relating the delamination size and the compliance of a DCLS specimen was derived, and a test method for the delamination growth rate in DCLS specimens developed. The delamination sizes and the delamination growth rates of DCLS specimens were determined by monitoring the compliances of specimens during fatigue. Delamination growth rates at different stress ratios ( R = 0.1,0.3,0.5) were measured. A Walker-type equation for the delamination growth rate was obtained by a multiple linear regression analysis.It was shown that the compliance method for determining the delamination growth rate of DCLS specimens is not only convenient and practical, but also accurate. The delamination size in DCLS specimens increases linearly with cycles during fatigue, is. delamination growth rate is constant, independent of delamination size. The energy release rate was adopted to characterize delamination growth behaviour. Good agreement between the Walker equation and test results of the delamination growth rate was found.

Fatigue crack growth of fibre reinforced metal laminates (FRMLs) under constant and variable amplitude loading was studied through analysis and experiments. The distribution of the bridging stress along the crackline in centre‐cracked tension (CCT) specimen of FRMLs was modelled numerically, and the main factors affecting the bridging stress were identified. A test method for determining the delamination growth rates in a modified double cracked lap shear (DCLS) specimen was presented. Two models, one being fatigue‐mechanism‐based and the other phenomenological, were developed for predicting the fatigue life under constant amplitude loading. The fatigue behaviour, including crack growth and delamination growth, of glass fibre reinforced aluminium laminates (GLARE) under constant amplitude loading following a single overload was investigated experimentally, and the mechanisms for the effect of a single overload on the crack growth rates and the delamination growth rates were identified. An equivalent closure model for predicting crack‐growth in FRMLs under variable amplitude loading and spectrum loading was presented. All the models presented in this paper were verified by applying to GLARE under constant amplitude loading and Mini‐transport aircraft wing structures (TWIST) load sequence. The predicted crack growth rates are in good agreement with test results.