Numerical determination of end effects in a laminate composite in the presence of a periodic system of symmetric contact cracks (Q2754686)

A two-component laminate composite of regular structure is considered. There are finite cracks at the interfaces between layers. The system of elastostatic equations with corresponding boundary conditions and symmetry conditions at the interface is solved numerically using finite difference technique. Some criteria for determination of extension of the end effect zone are suggested. A numerical example is considered. Extensions of end effect zones for different components of the stress tensor are compared.