Mixed-mode delamination -: Experimental and numerical studies

A fracture energy approach for modelling mixed-mode delamination of composite materials and other bonded structures is introduced. The model is incorporated within an explicit finite element (FE) code and ties layered shell elements together via a stiffness condition, a failure criterion and post-failure damage law. The procedure for predictive modelling of delamination using the approach is described and the set of required input parameters is presented. A benchmark test comparing experimental results for a continuous filament random E-glass/polyester composite and explicit FE simulations for standard fracture toughness tests for a range of mode mixities is included.