Damage Propagation in composite Structures using an Embedded Global-Local Approach

In the present paper a three-dimensional Progressive Damage Approach (PDA) for laminated composites will be presented. This approach is based on the use of a progressive damage finite element with the geometrically non-linear finite element formulation for stress calculation. The FEM element has been integrated with Hashin's failure criteria to split fibre and matrix failure modes and to simulate stiffness degradation within each ply by means of the Ply Discount Method (PDM). FEM code previsions, in the case of complex structures with different mesh densities and element types, were compared with the results obtained using embedded global-local approach to prove the effectiveness of the implemented code. As experimental test-case, the structural behaviour of a notched panel, under tensile load has been investigated. Obtained numerical results have been compared with both numerical and experimental data, available from the literature. Finally, a comparison between a full 3D model and a global-local model has been performed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed progressive damage approach in global-local analyses..