Three-dimensional progressive damage analysis of composite laminates containing a hole subjected to tensile loading

A three-dimensional parametric progressive damage model has been developed by integrating damage mechanisms for composite laminates containing an open hole subjected to static tensile loading. The model is capable of simulating the whole processs of failure initiation, propagation and catastrophic failure of the structure, which is also capable of predicting ultimate strength of composite laminates containing an open hole and assessing the four damage mechanisms and the relationship among them that are fibre breakage, fibre-matrix shearing, matrix cracking and delamination. The analysis method mainly includes the components of stress analysis, failure analysis, material property degradation. Finally, nine different types of laminates containing an open hole were used to predict the ultimate strength of the laminates and analyze damage progression. An excellent agreement was found between the analytical predictions and the experimental data of the document.