Progressive failure analysis for advanced grid stiffened composite plates/shells

A progressive failure methodology is developed to simulate the initiation and propagation of multi-failure modes for advanced grid stiffened (AGS) composite plates/shells on the basis of a stiffened element model. Failures of both skin and ribs are taken into consideration, which are matrix cracking, fiber failure, fiber–matrix shear failure, delamination in skin and fiber failure in rib. All these failures are defined using a set of 2-D stress-based polynomial failure criteria wherein the transverse shear stresses at centroid of the stiffened element are calculated by employing an integrated approach of finite element and finite difference method. Corresponding material and stiffness degradation behavior is introduced after the initiation of individual failure mechanisms. The progressive failure behavior of a composite orthotropic-grid curved panel with a centrally located cutout under compressive load is evaluated using the method.