Application of scaled boundary finite element method for delamination analysis of composite laminates using cohesive zone modelling

In this paper, the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) is evaluated for two-dimensional delamination analysis of composite laminates. The delamination phenomenon was studied using cohesive zone modelling (CZM). A bi-linear (triangular) traction-separation law was used to describe the interface behaviour, which was modelled using zero-thickness interface elements. Local arc-length solution technique was used to solve the non-linearity due to the interface behaviour. In this research, pure Mode I and Mode II as well as mixed mode delamination studies have been conducted using the SBFEM formulation. A variety of numerical experiments were performed. Good agreement was observed between the SBFEM simulation and the available numerical and experimental results in the open literature. A comparison between the SBFEM and other traditional methods shows that the presented formulation can solve the same physical problem with a reduction in the computational cost by more than half. The study highlights the advantages of SBFEM over other methods for modelling delamination in composite laminates using CZM.