Detailed Methodologies for Integrated Delamination Growth and Fiber-Matrix Damage Progression Simulation

In previous years, significant progresses have been made in understanding failure mechanisms of composite materials such as delamination and fiber–-matrix breakage. Delaminations, which can arise during the manufacturing process or as a consequence of impacts from foreign objects, are probably the most investigated mode of failure in composite laminates. However, others damages such as matrix cracks, fiber–-matrix debonding, and fiber fractures can also appear in composite structures under service conditions. These different damage mechanisms are able to interact with each other and lead to a considerable reduction in stiffness and strength of local critical areas and consequently to the reduction of the load-carrying capability of the entire composite structure. These interactions can have a relevant role in particular for delaminated composite plates under compression. In this chapter, integrated numerical methodologies, considering simultaneously the presence of different damage mechanisms in composites, are presented.