Crack Paths 2009

106 m m

W =80.6 m m

c = 38.7mm

a = 3 3 m m

8 4 .6 5 m m .6.6

d =19.1 m m

y

x

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. (a) Schematic diagram of an O C Tspecimen geometry, and (b) finite element

mesh used for its simulation.

5 m m

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 3. Predicted crack path in unidirectional laminates in an O C Tspecimen

geometry: (a) fibres are parallel to the initial notch, (b) fibres are perpendicular to the

initial notch, and (c) fibres are inclined at 45º with respect to the initial notch direction.

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