A computational continuum damage mechanics model for predicting transverse cracking and splitting evolution in open hole cross‐ply composite laminates

The present study focuses on a computational constitutive model which predicts the matrix cracking evolution and fibre breakage in cross‐ply composite laminates with open hole under in‐plane loading. To consider the effects of matrix cracking on the nonlinear response of laminates, a simplified crack density based model is applied which evaluates the representative damage parameters of matrix cracking. Furthermore, a developed subroutine based on continuum damage mechanics concepts is applied in ANSYS code which is capable to consider the transverse cracking/splitting evolution and predict the final failure load of mentioned laminate under monotonic loading in a progressive damage analyses. It is shown that the obtained stress–strain behaviours and the damage evaluation of considered laminates are in good agreement with the available experimental results.