Numerical simulation of delamination under mixed mode loading of woven fabric reinforced composites through cohesive zone elements

Abstract

Numerical model for prediction of progressive delamination in woven fabric reinforced composite is proposed in this paper. An orthotropic model is used in which the interface is modeled as bilinear cohesive zone elements subjected to mixed mode loadings. The mixed mode loading is applied through displacements. Mesh insensitive model is obtained at a converged mesh. Mass scaling is used to run the model at high mesh density and the results are accurately found. Effect of displacement rate is studied. Load displacements graphs are obtained, and they agreed with the experimental load displacements graphs.