Progressive micro-damage in composite laminates using a higher order plate element

Progressive micro-damage is modeled by using a higher order plate theory that accounts for all stress components, thus providing detailed layerwise analysis for predicting damage initiation and progress in laminated composites. Combining a layerwise damage hardening law with the {1,2}- order plate theory, a material model is developed for laminates subjected to general loading conditions. The finite element implementation is formulated to monitor the damage progress in layers incrementally. A cross-ply laminate without a cutout under simply supported boundary conditions and an angle-ply laminate with a cutout under clamped and simply supported boundary conditions are considered in order to investigate the effect of laminate layup, boundary conditions, as well as the presence of a cutout on damage initiation and progression.