Evolution of the temperature rise and damage in laminated composites with stress concentration under fatigue loading

Thermography has been used in some research works to evaluate the residual life of laminated composites under fatigue loading. In this method, the temperature-rise distribution at the outer surface of the composite specimen is monitored. However, thermography may not be able to provide detailed information on temperature rise and the fatigue damage that occurs in each ply of laminated composites with stress concentration. In the present paper, the Self-Heating model, recently developed by the authors, was modified and improved to simulate the evolution of temperature rise and fatigue damage in laminated composites with stress concentrations. The present model was called the Temperature-Damage Evolution (TDE) model. To verify the results of the present TDE model, an extensive experimental program was conducted on carbon/epoxy laminated composites with different stress concentrations, layups, and fatigue load levels. The present model successfully simulates the cycle-by-cycle temperature distribution and damage states in each ply of laminated composites under fatigue loading.

Automated summary

Thermography is used to evaluate the residual life of laminated composites under fatigue loading, but it may not provide detailed information on temperature rise and fatigue damage in each ply of laminated composites with stress concentration. This study modifies and improves the Self-Heating model to simulate the evolution of temperature rise and fatigue damage in laminated composites with stress concentrations, and verifies the results through extensive experiments. The present model successfully simulates the cycle-by-cycle temperature distribution and damage states in each ply of laminated composites under fatigue loading.