Analysis of Failure in Fiber Polymer Laminates: The Theory of Alfred Puck

Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) are widely used for the design of load-bearing structures. Life time prediction based on failure analysis is therefore essential for many applications in Aeronautics, Automotive and Civil Engineering. Analysis of Failure in Fiber Polymer Laminates presents Alfred Puck´s failure model, which, among several other theories, predicts fracture limits best and describes the failure phenomena in FRP most realistically – as confirmed within the “World-wide Failure Exercise”. Using Puck´s model the composite engineer can follow the gradual failure process in a laminate and deduce from the results of the analysis how to improve the laminate design. This capability distinguishes the model from other phenomenological and global models. It thus reduces the number of required component tests and iteration loops in the design process and paves the way to sorely needed software for crash-simulation of FRP-structures.

This book presents for the first time comprehensively the Theory of Alfred Puck on failure in Fiber Polymer Laminates. After a brief introduction into the failure analysis of laminates and its history, the text focuses first on Puck’s fracture criteria and gives detailed information on their physical background, mathematical derivation and application. Another core part of Puck’s Theory is his concept for Post Failure Analysis. Here, too, the physical background and the analytical procedure are presented. The theoretical chapters are completed by the presentation of the latest developments, namely the consideration of residual stresses and probabilistic effects. The second main part of the book deals with the extensive experimental verification program which has been accomplished since the mid 1990’s. As a result of this work, the Puck Theory can be regarded as better verified than any other theory. All experimental set ups and the major results are presented and explained.

The book is meant for all readers who are interested in the design and analysis of composite structures, including engineering students, scientists and composite designers in industry.