A generalised model of laminated composite plates with interfacial damage

A generalised laminate model featuring both weak interfacial bonding and local delamination is developed. The conditions of weak interfacial bonding or delamination are satisfied by choosing a shape function. An analytical solution of cross-ply laminates in cylindrical bending is given and the corresponding finite element model is set up for local weak bonding and delamination. A laminate with local interfacial damage is divided into perfectly bonded and weakly bonded (or delaminated) parts along its length. The assembly conditions between the parts can be simply and accurately satisfied through the thickness by matching the nodal displacement variables at delamination tips. The accuracy of the present model is demonstrated and parameter studies are carried out in numerical examples.