Open Access

ARTICLE

Simulation of delamination by means of cohesive elements using an explicit finite element code

E.V. González¹, P. Maimí¹, A. Turon¹, P.P. Camanho², J. Renart¹

1 AMADE, Escola Politècnica Superior, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain.
2 DEMEGI, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Computers, Materials & Continua 2009, 9(1), 51-92. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmc.2009.009.051

Abstract

This paper presents the formulation of a tri-dimensional cohesive element implemented in a user-written material subroutine for explicit finite element analysis. The cohesive element simulates the onset and propagation of the delamination in advanced composite materials. The delamination model is formulated by using a rigorous thermodynamic framework which takes into account the changes of mixed-mode loading conditions. The model is validated by comparing the finite element predictions with experimental data obtained in interlaminar fracture tests under quasi-static loading conditions.

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Keywords

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