Numerical Simulation of Mixed-Mode Progressive Delamination in Composite Materials

Author

P. P. Camanho

1. DEMEGI, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465, Porto- Portugal
2. 
   
3. C. G. Davila

1. Analytical & Computational Methods Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA23681-2199, USA
2. 
   
3. M. F. de Moura

1. DEMEGI, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465, Porto- Portugal

Abstract

A new decohesion element with the capability of dealing with crack propagation under mixed-mode loading is proposed and demonstrated. The element is used at the interface between solid finite elements to model the initiation and non-self-similar growth of delaminations in composite materials. A single relative displacement-based damage parameter is applied in a softening law to track the damage state of the interface and to prevent the restoration of the cohesive state during unloading. The softening law is applied in the three-parameter Benzeggagh-Kenane mode interaction criterion to predict mixed-mode delamination propagation. To demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions, steady-state delamination growth is simulated for quasi-static loading of various single mode and mixed-mode delamination test specimens and the results are compared with experimental data.

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http://jcm.sagepub.com/content/37/16/1415.abstract