Frictional effect in mode II delamination: Experimental test and numerical simulation

The present paper proposes an experimental and a numerical analysis of the frictional effect on the mode II delamination. Frictional stresses between the crack edges can absorb and dissipate significant energy contributions in the delamination zones, especially under cyclic loading conditions. The experimental tests are performed for a set of unidirectional End-Notched Flexure (ENF) composite specimens, which are subjected to fatigue loading law with increasing mean value. The numerical analyses are performed considering a cohesive– frictional constitutive model, which is able to reproduce the transition of the interface behavior from the sound elastic condition to the fully cracked one, with only frictional strength. Finally, the numerical results are compared with the experimental ones in order to evaluate the frictional constitutive parameters.