Calibration of the cohesive parameters of fiberglass reinforced plastic plates with an embedded delamination by experiments

The paper presents the calibration of a numerical collapse model of unidirectional fiberglass epoxy panels with an initially embedded delamination. The panels were tested under axial compression, able to induce buckling collapse. The penalty stiffness, the strength and the fracture toughness are the key parameters governing the cohesive interface. Their influence is investigated by a sensitivity analysis, aimed at adjusting the cohesive properties in order to calibrate the FE model based on the results of the experiments. The work serves as the basis for a promising strategy aimed at improving the current numerical models with progressive growing delaminations.