TY - EJOU AU - Wang, Yana AU - Jia, Ruodi AU - Liu, Fengrui TI - A Ply-By-Ply Discretized 2D FEA Approach with the Integrated XFEM-CE Strategy for Predicting Multiple Failures in Laminated Composite Structures T2 - Computer Modeling in Engineering \& Sciences PY - 2019 VL - 120 IS - 1 SN - 1526-1506 AB - Delamination and matrix cracking are two common failure mechanisms in composite structures, and are usually coupled with each other, leading to multiple failures pattern. This paper proposed a fast damage prediction methodology for composite laminated structures based on the ply-by-ply 2D (two dimensional) FE model of composite laminates in the transverse plane. The layer-wise 2D FE model was firstly used in conjunction with the integrated XFEM/CE strategy, which simulated the interface delamination with cohesive elements and the intra-ply matrix crack with XFEM (extended finite element method). To realize ply-by-ply 2D FE (finite element) modeling of composite laminates, two 2D material models were developed based on the plane stress assumption and plane strain assumption, respectively. A general crack propagation scheme was developed in the framework of the integrated XFEM-CE method. Adopting the 2D material model based on the plane strain assumption, a ply-by-ply discretized 2D FEA procedure was conducted for an out-of-plane composite Pi joint under the static tensile load. The predicted load-displacement response and damage evolution process showed good agreement with the experimental results, which verified the proposed approach. KW - Composites KW - laminate KW - strength KW - finite element analysis DO - 10.32604/cmes.2019.06542