FEM simulation of laminate failure in the three point bending

The paper presents a FEM simulation of failure of laminate subjected to the three point bending. The numerical model is based on the equivalent single layer approach with 6-paramater non-linear shell theory kinematics. It is implemented in the non-commercial FEM code. The failure initiation is detected with the use of Tsai-Wu criterion. After the failure onset the progressive failure process is modelled through the appropriate stiffness parameters reduction. The equilibrium path is traced by means of displacement control. The study shows that the proposed model can serve as effective tool in the failure analysis of laminated structures.