Progressive failure analysis of carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates using continuum damage mechanics

Based on the CDM theory, an energy-based stiffness degradation method is proposed to predict the progressive failure properties of the Al–carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates. For carbon fiber/epoxy composites, three failure modes: fiber breakage, matrix cracking and fiber/matrix interface failure are included in the present model. A 3D finite element technique including the multiframe restart analysis and the arc-length algorithm is developed to perform the progressive failure analysis. The calculated load–displacement curve and the final failure strength of structure are compared with those obtained from experiments and other existing models. This work provides a progressive understanding of the damage initiation and propagation behaviors of composite laminated structures above.