ABSTRACT
A layered structure exposed to cyclic loading is numerically analysed within a quasi-static interface damage model leading to propagation of interface cracks. The crack growth is controlled by a damage parameter whose evolution guarantees stress-separation laws as in known cohesive zone models, including additionally a kind of hysteresis pertinent to the evolution. The cyclic load makes the process to have a fatigue-like character, where the crack appears for a smaller magnitude of the cyclic load than for pure uploading. Presented numerical results demonstrate the properties of the model and reveal its characteristic response to cyclic loading.
