Three-Dimensional Modeling of Damage in Laminated Composites Containing a Central Hole

Abstract

Renard et all's transverse matrix cracking model is extended to the three-dimensional analysis of laminated composite structures. In this model, a thermodynamic approach to transverse matrix cracking is used. In order to determine the material parameters which modulate the stiffness reduction following the exponential laws assumed by Renard et al., an identification method based on the self-consistent model is proposed. Fiber breakage is detected by the maximum longitudinal strain criterion. The three-dimensional formulation of the damage model taking into account transverse matrix cracking and fiber breakage is essential in order to implement it in the general finite element system, SAMCEF, by which a three-dimensional modeling permits to fully describe the progressive damage in laminated composites containing stress concentrations. This damage model is used to determine the damage accumulations in a laminated graphite/epoxy AS4-3502 plate containing a central hole and under axial tension. Our results are compared to Tan's.