Cohesive zone representations of failure between elastic or rigid solids and ductile solids

A cohesive zone model that describes tangential separation as well as normal separation along an interface is reviewed. The model is based on nonlinear traction–separation relations between the normal and tangential components of the interface tractions and relative displacements. To illustrate the application of the cohesive zone model in studies of material failure or crack growth, analyses of matrix–fibre debonding in metal matrix composites are presented, taking into account effects of residual stresses or of nonlocal plasticity for the matrix. Also studies of interface crack growth under mixed mode conditions are discussed.