Initial and progressive failure analyses for composite laminates using Puck failure criterion and damage-coupled finite element method

In the present study, an evaluation method for the initial and progressive failure of composite laminates was proposed based on the Puck failure criterion and damage mechanics, respectively. In other words, the initial failure (crack initiation in the fiber and/or matrix) and progressive failure (crack growth in the fiber and/or matrix) were evaluated using the Puck failure criterion, and fiber- and matrix-dependent damage variables, respectively. In addition, the ABAQUS user-defined subroutine UMAT was developed based on coupling theories for the failure criterion and damage mechanics in order to efficiently analyze the progressive failure phenomenon in glass/carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates. The developed subroutine was applied to the failure of industrial composite laminates, and the analysis results were compared to the experimental/numerical results previously reported in the literature. This comparative study confirmed that the simulation results were in good agreement with the reported composite failure results.