In this paper, the use of a cohesive-zone approach to model the mode-I fracture of adhesive joints made from a polymer-matrix composite is demonstrated. Cohesive-zone parameters were obtained by matching numerical results to experimental observations. It is shown that there is a distinction between the characteristic strength of the interface associated with the toughness, and the intrinsic coh...

This paper presents a Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) approach for investigating dynamic crack propagation in homogeneous and Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs). The failure criterion is incorporated in the CZM using both a finite cohesive strength and work to fracture in the material description. A novel CZM for FGMs is explored and incorporated into a finite element framework. The material gradat...

This paper presents a Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) approach for investigating dynamic crack propagation in homogeneous and Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs). The failure criterion is incorporated in the CZM using both a finite cohesive strength and work to fracture in the material description. A novel CZM for FGMs is explored and incorporated into a finite element framework. The material gradat...

A two-scale model for predicting the multiple crack growth in viscoelastic solids due to an impact is presented. The cracks are considered only at the local scale through the use of a micromechanical viscoelastic cohesive zone model. The multiscale model has been implemented in a finite-element code. In order to minimize the computation time, the local finite-element meshes are solved in parall...

Results from a combined experimental and numerical investigation into the effects of rate on mode-II fracture of a plastically-deforming, adhesively-bonded joint are presented. It is shown that a cohesive-zone model has to be modified to include coupling between normal and shear modes of deformation when there is extensive shear deformation of the adhesive layer. A suitable cohesive-zone modeli...

In this paper we study the quasistatic crack growth for a cohesive zone model. We assume that the crack path is prescribed and we study the time evolution of the crack in the framework of the variational theory of rate-independent processes.