Delamination analysis of multilayered beams exhibiting creep under torsion

A delamination analysis of a multilayered inhomogeneous beam structure under linear creep is developed. A viscoelastic model that consists of an arbitrary number of linear springs and linear dashpots is used. The cross-section of the beam is a circle. The beam is made of concentric longitudinal layers. Each layer is continuously inhomogeneous in thickness and length directions. Therefore, the shear moduli and the coefficients of viscosity of the viscoelastic model are distributed continuously along the thickness and length of each layer. Two concentric delamination cracks are located arbitrary between layers. The beam is loaded in torsion. Time-dependent solutions to the strain energy release rate for the two delaminations are derived by using the time-dependent strain energy in the beam. The strain energy release rates are derived also by the compliance method for verification. The variation of the strain energy release rate with time due to creep is evaluated. The effects of material inhomogeneity, external loading and delamination length on the strain energy release rate are investigated.