Progressive failure analysis of laminated plates with delamination

A numerical methodology on simulating progressive compressive failure of delaminated plates is presented. A finite element code based on the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory and the Von Karman's nonlinear plate theory is developed to simulate initial buckling, postbuckling, contact effect of delamination front, delamination growth, fiber-breakage and matrix cracking. Delamination growth is taken into account by applying a fracture mechanics criterion which checks the strain energy release rate (SERR)along the delamination front. Meanwhile, fiber-breakage and matrix cracking are analyzed by a stiffness degradation scheme. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate different failure mode of delaminated plates. It is found that the delamination growth is significantly affected by the boundary condition, and the stiffness degradation plays an important role in the strength analysis of delaminated plate.