Research project: In-situ calibration of cohesive zone models for composite damage
With an aim to reduce the cost and time involved in designing new composite components, many models have been developed that characterise and predict damage in carbon fibre-epoxy composites as a guide to various strength and lifing parameters. These models are predominantly empirically based or fitted to the test samples from which the data sets are produced and cannot, therefore, be truly predictive since alternative material constructions would require alternative fitting functions.
