On the lower bounds for critical loads under large deformations in non-linear hyperelastic composites with imperfect interlaminar adhesion

The present paper investigates a mechanism of compressive fracture for heterogeneous incompressible non-linear materials with special kinds of defects of interfacial adhesion under large deformations The analysis finds the lower bounds for the critical load. In order to calculate the bounds, the problem of the internal instability is considered within the scope of the exact statement based on the application of the model of a piecewise-homogeneous medium and the equations of the 3-D stability theory. The solution of the 3-D problem is found for the most general case accounting for large deformations and the biaxiality of compressive loads. The characteristic determinants are derived for the first four modes, which are more commonly observed. Special attention is given to the calculation of critical loads for hyperelastic layers described by a simplified version of Mooney's potential, namely the neo-Hookean potential. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.