Investigation of mode-II delamination fracture energy with a discontinuous computational homogenization model

Numerical methods for delamination analysis, such as the cohesive zone method, require fracture energy as an essential input. Existing formulations rely on a phenomenological relationship that links fracture energy to the mode of fracture based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). However, doubts exist about the applicability of LEFM....

Simulation of cusp formation in composite materials using the thick level set method

On the microlevel, cusps are formed during delamination crack growth under mode II loading conditions. In this work, the Thick Level Set (TLS) approach is used to simulate the cusp formation process. A plasticity model for polymers is implemented in the TLS method and a new loading scheme is devised to deal with permanent strain. A numerical...