A multilayered solid element used to model composite delamination

Abstract

This paper focuses on the latest development of a solid hexahedron element for composite delamination analysis. The 8-node solid is derived from a 20-node hexahedron. It is transformed into two physical independent 4-node shell elements according to the propagation of delamination process within the element. This transformation is driven by a transfer and damage laws that are defined by calibrating the element with a FE modeling for a double cantilever beam (DCB) test. According to the position of the crack in the element, one parameter defines the degradation of the transverse properties at the Gauss point as well as the transfer of the volume element towards the bi-plate formulation. A sensitivity study of the element is presented. A global-local finite element approach coupled with the traditional virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) method allows to calculate the energy release rates and to control the propagation of cracking in the element. This method is validated by comparison between conventional FE models and experimental tests [DCB, and end load split (ELS)]. Experimental asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test is carried out and modelled using the developed element. The numerical simulation properly correlates with the experimental results.