A computational continuum damage mechanics model for predicting transverse cracking and splitting evolution in open hole cross-ply composite laminates

The present study focuses on a computational constitutive model which predicts the matrix cracking evolution and fibre breakage in cross-ply composite laminates with open hole under in-plane loading. To consider the effects of matrix cracking on the nonlinear response of laminates, a simplified crack density based model is applied which evaluates the representative damage parameters of matrix cracking. Furthermore, a developed subroutine based on continuum damage mechanics concepts is applied in ANSYS code which is capable to consider the transverse cracking/splitting evolution and predict the final failure load of mentioned laminate under monotonic loading in a progressive damage analyses. It is shown that the obtained stress–strain behaviours and the damage evaluation of considered laminates are in good agreement with the available experimental results.