Abstract
This paper presets experimental and analytical studies of ultimate strength of [$[30_2/-30_2/90]_S$ carbon/epoxy laminates with free-edge delamination under uniaxial tension. We performed tensile teat far laminates with Telflon inserted on interfaces to simulate initial free-edge delamination, The experiment reveals that extensional stiffness of the laminate decreases by the initiation of the delamination, and that strength of the laminate without delamination is smaller than that of the laminates with delamination. Generalized quasi-three delamination finite element analysis, which employs energy release rate and maximum stress criteria, predicts the ultimate strength of the laminates with sufficient accuracy.