Fatigue life prediction in a unidirectional glass-epoxy composite material subjected to off-axis cyclic loads

Abstract

Most of today s fatigue analysis and design methods for composite laminates were developed primarily on the basis of experience with homogeneous metals. Such methods are subject to serious drawbacks, however, because the failure the modes of failure observed in metals. A theoretical model for predicting the fatigue life of continuous glass-fibre/epoxy composite materials under general loading conditions has been developed on the basis of fundamental fatigue failure modes and local failure criteria.

Keywords

• composite
• fibre reinforcement
• glass
• polymer
• fatigue