Chapter 2 Macromechanical Analysis of a Lamina

Tsai-Hill Failure Theory

Dr. Autar Kaw

Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620

Courtesy of the Textbook

Mechanics of Composite Materials by Kaw
 The failure theories are generally based on the normal and shear
strengths of a unidirectional lamina.

 In the case of a unidirectional lamina, the five strength parameters are:


( )
Longitudinal tensile strength σ
T
1 ult

 Longitudinal compressive strength (σ )C

1 ult

 Transverse tensile strength (σ )

T
2 ult

 Transverse compressive strength (σ )

C
2 ult

 In-plane shear strength (τ 12 )ult

Based on the distortion energy theory, Tsai and Hill proposed that a lamina
has failed if

(G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3

− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

 This theory is based on the interaction failure theory.

 The components G1 thru G6 of the strength criteria depend on the

strengths of a unidirectional lamina.
 (G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3
− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

Apply σ1=(σ1T )ult , to a unidirectional lamina, then the lamina will fail. Hence,
Equation reduces to

(G 2 + G3)(σ ) T 2
1 ult =1
 (G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3
− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

Apply σ 2 =(σ T2 )ult , to a unidirectional lamina, then the lamina will fail. Hence,
Equation reduces to

(G1+ G3)(σ ) T 2
2 ult =1
 (G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3
− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

Apply σ 3 =(σ T2 )ult , to a unidirectional lamina, and assuming that the normal
tensile failure strength is the same in direction (2) and (3), then the lamina
will fail. Hence, Equation reduces to

(G1+ G 2 )(σ ) T 2
2 ult =1
 (G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3
− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

Apply τ12 =(τ12 )ult to a unidirectional lamina, then the lamina will fail.
Hence, Equation reduces to

2 G 6 (τ12 )ult =1
2
 1  2 1 

−
[ ] [ ]
G1 =
2  ( σ T2 ) 2 ( σ1T ) 2

 ult ult 
(G 2 + G3)(σ )
T 2
1 ult =1
1  1 
G2=  T 
2  [( σ1 )ult ] 
(G1+ G3)(σ )
2
T 2
2 ult =1
1  
(G1+ G 2 )(σ )
T 2
2 ult =1 G3=  T
1 
2  [( σ1 )ult ] 
2

2 G 6 (τ12 )ult =1
2
1  1 

G6= 
2  [( τ12 )ult ] 
2
Because the unidirectional lamina is assumed to be under plane stress - that
is, σ 3 = τ 31 = τ 23 = 0 ,

(G 2 + G3) σ12 +(G1+ G3) σ 22 +(G1+ G 2 ) σ 32 − 2 G3 σ1 σ 2 − 2 G 2 σ1 σ 3

− 2 G1 σ 2 σ 3 +2 G 4 τ 223 +2 G 5 τ13
2
+2 G 6 τ12
2
<1

2 2 2
 σ1   σ1 σ 2   σ 2   τ12 
 T  −  T 2 +  T  +   <1
 (σ1 ) ult   (σ 1 ) ult   (σ 2 ) ult   ( τ12) ult 
 Unlike the Maximum Strain and Maximum Stress Failure Theories, the
Tsai-Hill failure theory considers the interaction among the three
unidirectional lamina strength parameter.

 The Tsai-Hill Failure Theory does not distinguish between the

compressive and tensile strengths in its equation. This can result in
underestimation of the maximum loads that can be applied when
compared to other failure theories.

 Tsai-Hill Failure Theory underestimates the failure stress because the

transverse strength of a unidirectional lamina is generally much less than
its transverse compressive strength.
Find the maximum value of S>0 if a stress of σ x = 2S , σ y = −3S , and τ xy = 4S
is applied to a 60o lamina of Graphite/Epoxy. Use Tsai-Hill Failure Theory. Use
properties of a unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy lamina given in Table 2.1 of the
textbook Mechanics of Composite Materials by Autar Kaw.
From Example 2.13,

σ 1 = 1.714 S,

σ 2 = - 2.714 S,

τ 12 = - 4.165S.

Using the Tsai-Hill failure theory from Equation (2.150),

2 2 2
 1.714S   1.714S   - 2.714S   - 2.714S   - 4.165S 
  -  +  +  <1
 1500 × 10   1500 × 10   1500 × 10   40 × 10   68 × 10 
6 6 6 6 6

S < 10.94.MPa

a) The Tsai-Hill failure theory considers the interaction between the three unidirectional lamina

strength parameters, unlike the Maximum Strain and Maximum Stress failure theories.

b) The Tsai-Hill failure theory does not distinguish between the compressive and tensile strengths in

its equations. This can result in underestimation of the maximum loads that can be applied when

compared to other failure theories. For the load of σ x = 2MPa, σ y = - 3 MPa and τ xy = 4 MPa

as found in Examples 2.15, 2.17 and 2.18, the strength ratios are given by
 SR = 10.94 (Tsai-Hill failure theory),

= 16.33 (Maximum Stress failure theory),

= 16.33 (Maximum Strain failure theory).

Tsai-Hill failure theory underestimates the failure stress because the transverse tensile

strength of a unidirectional lamina is generally much less than its transverse compressive

strength. The compressive strengths are not used in the Tsai-Hill failure theory. The

Tsai-Hill failure theory can be modified to use corresponding strengths, tensile or

compressive, in the failure theory as follows

 σ 1    σ 1  σ 2  σ 2  τ 12 
2 2 2

  -   +   +   < 1 (2.151)

 X 1    X 2  X 2   Y   S 

where

X1 = ( σ T1 )ult if σ1 > 0

= ( σ 1C )ult if σ1 < 0

X2 = ( σ T1 )ult if σ2 > 0

= ( σ 1C )ult if σ2 < 0
 Y = ( σ T2 )ult if σ2 > 0

= ( σ C2 )ult if σ2 < 0

S = ( τ 12 )ult .

For Example 2.18, the modified Tsai-Hill failure theory given by Equation (2.151) now gives

 1.714σ   1.714σ   - 2.714σ   - 2.714σ   - 4.165σ 

2 2 2

  -  +  +  <1
 1500 × 10   1500 × 10   1500 × 10   246 × 10   68 × 10 
6 6 6 6 6

σ < 16.06 MPa.

which implies that the strength ratio is SR = 16.06 (modified Tsai-Hill failure theory)

This value is closer to the values obtained using Maximum Stress and Maximum Strain failure

theories.

c) The Tsai-Hill failure theory is a unified theory and hence does not give the mode of failure like

the Maximum Stress and Maximum Strain failure theories.

However, you can make a reasonable guess of the failure mode by calculating | σ 1 /( σ T1 )ult |,

| σ 2 /( σ T2 )ult | and | τ 12 /( τ 12 )ult | . The maximum of these three values gives the associated mode

of failure. In the modified Tsai-Hill failure theory, calculate the maximum of

| σ 1 / X 1 |,| σ 2 /Y | and | τ 12 /S | for the associated mode of failure.

 σ1   σ1  σ 2   σ 2   τ12 
2 2 2

  −    +   +   < 1
 X 1   X 2  X 2   Y   S 

( ) , if σ > 0
X 1 = σ 1T ult 1

= (σ ) , if σ < 0
C
1 ult 1

X = (σ ) , if σ > 0
2
T
1 ult 2

= (σ ) , if σ < 0
C
1 ult 2

Y = (σ ) , if σ > 0
T
2 ult 2

= (σ ) , if σ < 0
C
2 ult 2

S = (τ 12 )ult