A consistent anisotropic damage model for laminated fiber-reinforced composites using the 3D-version of the Puck failure criterion

Abstract

This paper presents a consistent anisotropic damage model for laminated fiber-reinforced composites re- lying on the 3D-version of the Puck failure criterion. The current model is based on ply failure mecha- nisms (fiber and inter-fiber failures) incorporating energetic considerations into the progressive damage evolution. The proposed formulation is implemented into the implicit FE commercial package ABAQUS us- ing the user-defined capability UMAT . Additionally, the current damage model is combined with a locking- free solid shell formulation via the user-defined subroutine UEL in order to account for geometrical non- linear effects in thin-walled applications. The reliability of the current formulation is first examined by means of several benchmark applications, and subsequently, the obtained numerical predictions are com- pared with experimental data corresponding to an open hole tension test. These applications show the practicability and accuracy of the proposed methodology for triggering damage in composite laminates, providing a robust modeling framework suitable for general specimens and loading conditions.