A review on fatigue of composite materials

This article is intended to be a tutorial on the subject of fatigue of composite laminates and sandwich structures. Several different analytical models for predicting the fatigue life of composite structures are presented. The models are categorized and reviewed in three general categories: classical model, progressive damage model, thermodynamic model. Classical models have been developed based on fatigue models in metals and include fatigue life models and residual mechanical properties models (residual stiffness and strength); the progressive damage models, which are developed based on the growth of damage variables. These models include classical progressive damage models and fracture mechanics models; and finally, the third category is thermodynamic models that have been developed based on the principles and foundations of thermodynamics. These models include continuum damage mechanics models and entropy generation models.