Modeling the constitutive behavior of layered composites with evolving cracks

In this study, it is shown that a computational procedure, termed "discrete damage space homogenization method" (DDSHM), can accurately predict the co nstitutive response of layered composite materials containing growing crack s. The effective constitutive law for a specific layered composite architec ture, as defined by the DDSHM, was integrated into the ABAQUS commercial fi nite element program using the user-defined material feature. Calculations were performed to show correlation with experimental data on flat laminates and curved beam elements and to illustrate the computational efficiency of the method for general analysis of composite materials with growing cracks . Results show that given the basic information about the fracture toughnes s of the material, the DDSHM is able to predict important material paramete rs, including the load at initiation of cracking, damage growth rate, and t he resulting effect on the macroscopic stiffness. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.