Non-linear delamination in two-dimensional functionally graded multilayered beam

A delamination fracture analysis of two-dimensional functionally graded multilayered end-loaded split beam configuration with non-linear mechanical behaviour of material is conducted. The beam is made of an arbitrary number of longitudinal layers. Perfect adhesion between layers is assumed. The material is two-dimensional functionally graded in the cross-section of each layer. Also, each layer has individual thickness and material properties. A delamination crack is located arbitrary along the beam height. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The delamination fracture behaviour is investigated analytically in terms of the strain energy release rate by analysing the balance of the energy. An additional analysis of the delamination fracture is performed by applying the J-integral approach for verification.

The solutions derived are used to evaluate the effects of crack location, material gradients and material non-linearity on the delamination fracture behaviour of end-loaded split beam. The effect of material gradient on the distribution of the J-integral value along the crack front is elucidated too.

Delamination in the multilayered functionally graded end-loaded split beam exhibiting non-linear mechanical behaviour of the material is analysed assuming that the material property is distributed non-linearly in both thickness and width directions in each layer.