Finite element analysis of the delamination crack propagation in laminated composites is presented. Fracture mechanics based Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), and the cohesive element technique, have been used to simulate the delamination initiation and propagation under Mode-I type loading. Detailed description of the parameter selection process for these two techniques with ABAQUS®/Stan...

The damage mesomodel for laminates (DML) has been developed over last 15 years, particularly at LMT-Cachan [1]. The DML is based on three foundations: 1) Mesoscale – the intermediate scale between the structure (macro) and constituent (fibre, matrix) level degradation mechanisms (micro), 2) internal variable approach – which relates the damage by the degradation of the elastic moduli and 3) Met...

Of interest in this paper are failure mode interactions when laminated fiber reinforced composites are subjected to compressive loading. Delamination, fiber kink-banding and their interactions are seen to dominate the failure response. This interaction is captured through a computational model that includes interface elements to capture delamination, and, geometric and material nonlinearity to ...

more likely than those without FGM to have adverse obstetric outcomes. Moreover, the risk of an adverse outcome increases with more extensive FGM (see FGM types on page 3). This information is important for healthcare providers looking after women with FGM during childbirth. FGM remains a pressing human rights and a public health issue. It is expected that reliable evidence about its harmful ef...

BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful traditional practice deeply rooted in 28 Sub-Saharan African countries. Its prevalence in The Gambia is 76.3%. The objective of this study was to gain precise information on the long-term health consequences of FGM/C in The Gambia as well as on its impact on delivery and on the health of the newborns. METHODS Data were collecte...

BACKGROUND The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is common in several African countries and some parts of Asia. This practice is not only a violation of human rights, but also puts women at risk of adverse health outcomes. This paper analysed the trends in the prevalence of FGM in Burkina Faso and investigated factors that are associated with this practice following the enactment of a...

This paper portrays the various combinations of nanomaterials and matrix materials which were used to fabricate the nanocomposite laminates with and without fiber. An in-depth analysis was made on the various ways of preparing the nano influenced matrix and composite panels. In addition to this, an effort has been made to afford an outline of the impact of nanofillers within the matrix from the...

Synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) has been used to study notch-tip damage in (90/0)S and (90/+45/-45/0)S carbon fibre-epoxy laminates. By exploiting near-field Fresnel diffraction (edge detection regime), high quality 3D images of cracks and delaminations have been obtained to a resolution of less than 1μm. 3D strain field mapping is facilitated by feature tracking/ image correla...

A wide range of composite material forms are finding use in today’s aerospace, automotive, and other transportation industry segments. The Boeing 787 commercial airliner, unveiled in 2007, features over 50% carbon fiber composites by structural weight, while the entire structure of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento supercar, unveiled in 2011, is made exclusively from carbon fiber composites [1-2]....