A dynamic model for laminated plates with delaminations (Q1282611)

We develop a generalized theory for laminated plates, including delamination. The laminate model is based on a generalized displacement formulation implemented at the layer level. The equations of motion for a layer, which are explicitly coupled with both the interfacial traction continuity and the interfacial displacement jump conditions between layers, are used to derive the governing equations for a laminated composite plate. The delamination behavior can be modeled using any general constitutive fracture law. The interfacial displacement jumps are expressed in an internally consistent fashion in terms of the fundamental unknown interfacial tractions. The current theory imposes no restrictions on the size, location, distribution, or direction of growth of the delaminations. Therefore, the theory can predict the initiation and growth of delaminations at any location as well as interactive effects between delaminations at different locations within the laminate.