Elasto-plastic damage model considering cohesive matrix interface layers for composite laminates

A three-dimensional (3D) Finite element (FE)-based progressive damage model, which considers the interface matrix layer between two neighboring laminae as a layer of cohesive elements, is proposed to analyze laminated composite plates. An elasto-plastic damage model is integrated with the FE-based program ABAQUS that uses user-defined material subroutine. The present damage model includes fiber failure, matrix failure, and delamination effects. A cohesive zone model, which is available in ABAQUS and uses cohesive elements, is combined with the proposed model to address the delamination damage in the interface layers. 3D solid brick elements are used to model composite layers, and cohesive zone elements are used in between two composite layers to model the adhesive layers. The proposed model has been applied for the progressive damage simulation of AS4/PEEK composite laminates under in-plane and uniaxial tensile loading.