COHESIVE INTERFACE ELEMENT AND INTERFACIAL DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITES 1)

An interface element based on the cohesive zone model is employed to simulate the fiber/matrix interface in composite. The cohesive zone model used here is viewed as a phenomenological model. A potential function is adopted to describe the relationship between the interface traction and the interface displacement jump. Two sets of interface parameters are adopted to represent the interface strength and toughness respectively. This model can simulate the evolution of interface damages, which are coupled in t...