Three-dimensional elastic analysis of a composite double cantilever beam specimen

Attention is given to the stresses and the strain energy release rate along the delamination front in the present three-dimensional elastic analysis of a 24-ply, cocured double-cantilever beam specimen by means of 20-noded parabolic-isoparametric finite elements. At the free surface, the strain energy release rate was found to be substantially smaller than the plane strain value; this is suggested to be due to the free-surface effect that exists where the delamination meets the surface edge.