The LS1 model for delamination propagation in multilayered materials at 0°/θ° interfaces: A comparison between experimental and finite elements strain energy release rates

The aim of this paper is to analyze delaminated multilayered plates under classical loads using an alternative model to the existing three-dimensional finite element methods (3D-FEM). The proposed alternative model, named LS1, is a layerwise stress model proving significantly less computationally expensive while accurate and efficient. In particular this paper uses experimental data from different simple test specimens in a finite element code, which is based on LS1, in order to calculate strain energy release rates (SERR) in different modes of delamination. The focus is on two types of delaminated interfaces 0°/0° and 0°/45°. The obtained SERR results are in very good agreement with the experimental values and, in the case of mixed-mode delamination, they are as accurate as the SERR obtained by 3D-FE models. The other interesting property of the LS1 model is the very fast calculation speed as the SERR can be analytically deduced from interfacial stresses. This relation which only depends on the stacking sequence and the position of delamination is presented.