Weighing Failure Tensor Polynomial Criteria for Composites

Several interesting versions of the tensor polynomial failure criterion for composites were compared with the family of the elliptic paraboloid failure criteria (EPFS), with symmetry axes parallel to the hydrostatic axis. A critical appraisal of the most important theories was presented and a comparison was made with existing experi mental data in triaxial stress states. The superiority of the EPFS over any other criterion was established. Furthermore, the more flexible ellipsoid failure surface criterion, an ex tension of EPFS, may be used for special types of material such as foams, porous material and other materials that fail under internal buckling in general compression.