Behavior of composite laminates with embedded delaminations

A Layerwise Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory is developed for plates containing rectangular embedded delaminations undergoing non negligible lateral deflections. The effects of different parameters of the composite laminate and delaminated area are investigated analytically under buckling load and the results are compared with the three dimensional finite element analysis. The results demonstrate the effects of different geometrical parameters of the delaminated area and thickness on the deflection of a composite laminate. Also the initiation of debonding in opening and sliding fracture modes is predicted using the developed formulation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.