Fracture mechanics of multilayered shells. Theory of delamination cracks (Q1057120)

Delamination cracks are considered, which develop along the boundaries of different layers in a multilayered thin shell. The characteristic linear dimension of the crack in planform is assumed to be large compared with the shell thickness. A general theory suitable for materials with any inelastic properties is based on an additional boundary condition on the moving contour of the crack, which is derived by using a heuristic hypothesis. The theory of invariant \(\Gamma\)-integrals and the general theory of fracture are also utilized. Model experiments are indicated which enable fracture diagrams, needed for carrying the theoretical computations out to numbers, by test means to be determined.