Computational analysis of progressive failure in a notched laminate including shear nonlinearity and fiber failure

A computational model for mesolevel analysis of progressive laminate failure is presented. A previously developed discrete model for mesh independent representation of matrix cracks is combined with continuum descriptions for fiber failure and matrix nonlinearity. For fiber failure, a continuum damage model is introduced and a phenomenological damage/plasticity law is used for the shear nonlinearity. Special attention is paid to the application of the dissipation based arclength method to these models, where the presence of residual stresses is also taken into account. With the analysis of a notched cross-ply laminate the importance of the different components of the model to capture the complete failure process correctly is exemplified. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.