Effect of embedded delamination on the compression performance of carbon fiber reinforced composites

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRCs) with embedded delamination under compressive loads. Compression tests are carried out by using CFRC specimens with embedded circular and rectangular delamination, respectively. The initial and progressive failure of delamination-embedded specimen under compression is evaluated quantitatively by a method combining the Puck failure criterion and damage mechanics. The quadratic nominal stress criterion is used to evaluate the inter-laminar damage. By comparing experimental and numerical results, this method can effectively predict the compression strength, modulus and interface damage evolution of the delamination-embedded specimen. This paper also studies the influence of the number, total area and distribution of embedded delamination on the compression performance and predicts the variation trend of the compressive strength of specimens with different embedded delamination.