Damage Analysis of Laminated Plates using Continuum Damage Mechanics

In this paper, progressive damage and global failure of composite laminates under quasi-static, monotonic loading are investigated using 3D continuum damage mechanics. For this purpose, a finite element program has been developed using an eight-node 2D layered element including layer-wise plate theory. A number of laminate examples with diffuse damage under simply supported and distributed transverse loading conditions are analyzed using the developed method. The effects of various lay-up configurations and numerical modeling parameters on the progressive damage response are also investigated.