Abstract: In order to explore the failure analysis of composite laminates, a numerical model based on Puck failure criterion was established. For Puck's inter-fiber fracture failure theory, the traversing search method and the partition golden section search method (PGSS) were used to predict the angle of fracture surface under different stress states. The computational accuracy and efficiency of the two algorithms were also analyzed. Research shows that the PGSS method has high search accuracy and efficiency. The proposed algorithm was implemented using ABAQUS-VUMAT subroutines and numerical analysis was performed for G₂₃ out-of-plane shear tests of composite laminates. By comparison with the experimental results about the load-displacement curves, DIC strain field and failure mode under transverse (G₂₃) shear load, it has been verified that the current model works well in predicting the structural response and structural failure mode.