Intra and damage analysis of laminated composites using coupled continuum damage mechanics with cohesive interface layer

In the present article a model based on coupling of continuum damage mechanics with cohesive interface layer is proposed in order to predict the progressive damages including the large delamination growth in composite laminates. A new interface cohesive constitutive law is developed which is compatible with 3D continuum damage mechanics (CDM). To avoid the difficulties of 3D mesh generation and 3D interface modeling between the layers, the cohesive interface layer is implemented in the Reddy's full layer-wise plate theory. An angle-ply laminate is analyzed to evaluate the developed CDM+cohesive layer in edge delamination initiation and evolution during uniaxial tension loading. The proposed approach is demonstrated to predict progressive damage and final failure load of angle-ply laminated composites both accurately and effectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.