A combined finite/discrete element algorithm for delamination analysis of composites

A combined finite/discrete element method is developed to model delamination behaviour in laminated composites. A penalty based algorithm is employed to evaluate the interlaminar stress state. The failure surface for delamination is defined by a Chang-Springer criterion, and the interlaminar crack propagation is achieved by a standard discrete element contact/release algorithm. The ability of the method for simulation of this behaviour is assessed by solving standard test cases available from the literature. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.