Cylindrical bending of multilayered plates with multi-delamination via a layerwise stress approach

Three-dimensional finite element simulations of delamination propagation in multilayered plates are usually expensive in computational time and memory. In this paper, a two-dimensional layerwise model, called the LS1 model, is introduced as an accurate and effective alternative to the finite element method. The LS1 model is extended to the analysis of delamination growth in multilayered plates subjected to cylindrical bending loading. To this end, a general multilayered plate with arbitrary boundary conditions is investigated. By imposing the unilateral contact conditions at delaminated interfaces, analytical LS1 solutions to a general multi-delamination problem are obtained. As application examples, two classical mode I (Double Cantilever) and mode II (End Notched Flexure) delamination tests are investigated. By considering two types of crack resistance curve, the delamination propagation in composite laminates is studied. The LS1 results are found and compared to those of a finite element model. Very good agreements between the results of the two models prove the efficiency and accuracy of the LS1 model for the simulation of delamination propagation in laminates subjected to cylindrical bending.