Numerical modelling and investigation of plywood progressive failure in CT tests

The plywood is considered as a layered cross-ply unidirectional fiber reinforced composite. Based on the characteristics of damages found in experimental compact tension (CT) tests, the single veneers and their interface are modelled in order to simulate the main damage modes of fiber bundle rupture, matrix cracking along the fibers, and delamination at the ply interlayers of glue. The plywood CT specimens are modelled by continuum shell and cohesive finite elements with damage evolution in material models. The finite element (FE) model simulates the experimental behavior of plywood samples very well and allows deep investigation of the different types of damage development and interaction. The FE model of plywood is useful for its lay-up optimization and for development of more efficient in large-scale simulations computational models of plywood.