Synergistic damage evolving model for matrix cracking in composite laminates

First, in order to investigate the evolution characteristics of matrix cracks in composite laminates under quasi-static loading, a synergistic damage evolving model based on energy was proposed. Then, the damage was analyzed in multi-scale through the model: in micro-level, crack surface displacements were calculated by three-dimensional finite element method; in macro-level, the energy released rates of matrix crack initiation were obtained with the crack surface displacements. Finally, the evolving process of matrix cracks was predicted by the crack initiation criterion. The model had taken the damage interaction, residual stress, nonlinearity of matrix, material initial damage distribution and inhomogeneity of damage evolving in evolutionary process into consideration. According to the evolutionary analysis process, matrix crack evolution process in glass fiber composites with the configuration of [±θ/90₄]_s was analyzed. The results show that the model is capable to predict the damage evolution laws of matrix cracks of composite laminates under quasi-static loading.