Residual strength of a three-layer composite shell with a macrodefect in the outer layer

An approximate method is proposed for determining the residual strength of a three-layer composite shell with a transverse macrocrack in the outer load-bearing layer. As an example, calculations are presented for a shell with inner and outer load-bearing layers consisting of a stiff brittle matrix reinforced by glass fibers. The method provides estimates of the residual strength that are 10-15 percent lower than the experimental values.