Numerical assessment of delamination in fibre metal laminates

In the present contribution numerical models for delamination in fibre metal laminates are discussed. Fibre metal laminates form a class of materials in which homogeneous aluminium sheets are combined with fibre reinforced prepreg layers. Intensive experimental analyses have been carried out to assess the possible application of new design methods which make use of the layered structure of fibre metal laminates. To support the experimental analyses, numerical models have been developed to describe delamination in fibre metal laminates. To achieve this goal, a special continuum element and corresponding interface elements are introduced. Loading functions have been derived to account for delamination. The loading functions are either applied for the continuum or for the interface element. Using this methodology the impact of delamination on spliced fibre metal laminates has been studied numerically and has been compared to experimental results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.