• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.423-430
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• 2012

In this paper, the effect of wrinkling on the cut propagation direction of thin membrane was studied using geometrically nonlinear shell element post-buckling analysis. In the analysis, rectangular tensile membrane configuration with a slanted center cut was considered. The cut propagation direction was predicted by maximum energy release rate method, $K_{II}$-zero method, and maximum tangential stress method. The cut propagation angle and the $J$-integral values were calculated for the wrinkled and unwrinkled cases and the results were compared. Various initial cut orientation angles were considered and the effect on the propagation direction was studied. The cut propagation paths were also predicted by virtual cut extension approach.