Assessment of refined high-order global-local theory for progressive failure analysis of laminated composite beams

An efficient and computationally low-cost one-dimensional (1D) finite element model is developed for the progressive failure analysis of laminated composite beams. The employed finite element formulation is based on a refined high-order global-local beam (RHGB) theory which satisfies all the kinematic and stress continuity conditions at the layer interfaces. This RHGB theory also considers effects of the transverse normal stress and transverse flexibility. By using the well-known failure theories, an iterative method is adopted to predict the first ply failure load of the laminated composite beam. After the first ply failure, the material properties of the failed elements are modified using a stiffness degradation factor. Then, the applied load is increased step-by-step. This analysis is repeated for each load increment until the ultimate strength of the laminate is reached. Hashin, Maximum stress, Hoffman, Tsai-Hill and Tsai-Wu failure criteria are used to assess the possible damage at beam elements from the initial to the final step. The present failure formulation has been validated by comparison with experimental and theoretical results available in the open literature.