Abstract

Interlaminar failure tests are usually carried out in specimens where crack arms are symmetric. Asymmetric Double Cantiliver Beam (ADCB) is an exception where both crack arms have different thickness in order to get mixed mode I/II. The asymmetry in ADCB specimens could be applied also to te case of End Notched Flexure Tests, obtaining also mixed mode I/II. The decomposition proposed by Williams is not valid in the case of ADCB tests. On the other hand, articles related to asymmetric ENF tests including the mode decompositiion have not been found. The present study deals with the analsys of the mode decomposition in the case of specimens with asymmetric arms. The asymmetry may be related to the different thickness of the crack arms, to different materials or a combination of both factors. The results obtained will be compared with the results of mode decompsition that have been published in the case of ADCB tests.