Numerical Simulation of Mixed-Mode Progressive Delamination in Composite Materials

TLDR

The study proposes a new decohesion element capable of modeling crack propagation under mixed‑mode loading. The element is applied at interfaces between solid finite elements, using a single relative displacement‑based damage parameter in a softening law governed by the Benzeggagh‑Kenane mode‑interaction criterion to model initiation and non‑self‑similar growth of delaminations. Simulations of steady‑state delamination growth under quasi‑static loading of single‑mode and mixed‑mode test specimens agree with experimental data, demonstrating the element’s accuracy.

Abstract

A new decohesion element with the capability of dealing with crack propagation under mixed-mode loading is proposed and demonstrated. The element is used at the interface between solid finite elements to model the initiation and non-self-similar growth of delaminations in composite materials. A single relative displacement-based damage parameter is applied in a softening law to track the damage state of the interface and to prevent the restoration of the cohesive state during unloading. The softening law is applied in the three-parameter Benzeggagh-Kenane mode interaction criterion to predict mixed-mode delamination propagation. To demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions, steady-state delamination growth is simulated for quasi-static loading of various single mode and mixed-mode delamination test specimens and the results are compared with experimental data.