Efficient micro-mechanical multiaxial fatigue testing and modelling for GFRP laminates

Recent progress in the development of a physical based micro-mechanical multiaxial fatigue model for glass fibre reinforced composite materials is presented. The model relies on data rich information on off-axis crack initiation and propagation obtained using an automated crack counting method and is based on the GLOB-LOC constitutive micro-mechanical framework. Off-axis crack initiation and propagation due to multiaxial fatigue loading are modelled using damage based criteria from literature for the initiation phase and Paris' law like relationship for crack growth. It is demonstrated how fatigue failure parameters needed for these criteria can be derived from an experimental campaign using only two different laminate layups. Results obtained using a preliminary damage evolution model are discussed, and plans for future research are outlined.