Isogeometric analysis of multilayer composite shell structures: Plasticity, damage, delamination and impact modeling

A comprehensive Isogeometric Analysis framework for damage modeling of laminated composite structures is presented. The formulation is based on a multilayer approach that employs Kirchhoff–Love shell theory coupled with anisotropic elastoplastic damage to model the mechanical behavior of the individual plies. The plies are connected at their interfaces through a mixed-mode cohesive damage model that is used to represent delamination. The ply no-interpenetration condition is enforced using a penalty formulation. The formulation ensures a smooth transition from the opening mode, which is governed by the cohesive damage law, to the closing mode, which is governed by the penalty approach, and results in a significantly more stable numerical methodology overall. The resulting framework is deployed on a series of simulation cases with increasing complexity of the geometry and mechanical phenomena modeled. In all cases, experimental data is used for model validation purposes and for demonstrating the superior robustness and predictive capabilities of the formulation presented. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd