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 constitutive response of layered composite materials containing growing cracks. The effective constitutive law for a specific layered composite architecture, as defined by the DDSHM, was integrated into the ABAQUS commercial finite 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 toughness of the material, the DDSHM is able to predict important material parameters, including the load at initiation of cracking, damage growth rate, and the resulting effect on the macroscopic stiffness.