On Delamination Growth in Shallow Shells

Abstract

A theoretical and computational study has been carried out for compressive loading of a thin circular embedded delamination located below a cylindrical surface. The delaminated member is subjected to nominally uniaxial and balanced biaxial loading with the main objective to analyze its influence on surface curvature especially as regards imminent crack growth. The analysis is based on nonlinear shell theory combined with linear fracture mechanics. A finite element program earlier developed for delaminated plates has been generalized to apply also for shells and used to determine energy release rates and mode intensities along the delaminated front. A parameter study is made of the influence of curvature of the delaminated shell in particular as regards initiation and stability of crack growth.