Physically based failure models and criteria for laminated fibre-reinforced composites with emphasis on fibre kinking. Part II: FE implementation

Three dimensional failure criteria for laminated fibre-reinforced composites, based on a physical model for each failure mode and considering non-linear matrix shear behaviour are implemented in an explicit Finite Element code. All the properties used by the model have a clear physical meaning. A smeared formulation is used to avoid mesh dependency during damage propagation. The model is shown to reproduce key aspects observable during failure, such as the inclined fracture plane in matrix compression, the ±45° failure pattern of a (±45°)ns tension specimen, and kink-band formation (including its orientation and broadening). The model is also applied to the crushing of a composite column, where the deformation mode, peak load and mean post-crushing load were all reasonably predicted.