Micromechanics-based elastic-damage analysis of laminated composite structures

Based on the micromechanics-based constitutive model, derived in our preceding work [Lee, H.K., Pyo, S.H., 2009. A 3D-damage model for fiber-reinforced brittle composites with microcracks and imperfect interfaces. Journal of Engineering Mechanics-ASCE, in press, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943.7889.0000039.], incorporating a multi-level damage model and a continuum damage model, the overall elastic behavior and damage evolution of laminated composite structures are studied in detail. The constitutive model is implemented into the finite element program ABAQUS using a user-subroutine UMAT to solve boundary value problems of the composite structures. The validity of the implemented constitutive model is assured by comparing the predicted stress–strain curves with experimental data available in literature under uniaxial tension with various fiber orientations. The results show that the proposed micromechanics-based constitutive model accurately predict the overall elastic-damage behavior of laminated composite structures having different material compositions, thicknesses and boundary conditions.