A multi-scale progressive damage model for laminates

Predicting the strength of composite laminates subjected to complex multi-axial loading based on the properties of the constituents, fibres and matrix, remains a major technical challenge. The purpose of this paper is to present a multi-scale progressive damage model for composite laminates. At the lamina scale, stress-based failure criteria are proposed for the fibres and the matrix, with the stresses required in the failure criteria being determined by a micro-mechanics analysis. Linking the lamina scale with the laminate scale is achieved through a finite element micromechanics model and a progressive damage model. Comparison has been carried out with the experimental data generated during the world-wide failure exercise, indicating a good agreement for several materials over a wide range of loading conditions.