Abstract
A novel experimantal method was developed for estimating impact interlaminar fracture toughness of polymer matrix composite materials. SHPB (Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar) technique was employed to estimate the behavior of stress wave applied to the specimen in precise. The validity of the present method was studied on the basis of computional results by finite element analysis. The strain rate dependence of mode I, mode II and their mixed mode fracture behavior was investigated by using the present method. The mixed mode fracture criterion was also investigated from the viewpoint of strain rate dependence.
