Prediction of Progressive Ply Failure of Laminated Composite Structures: A Review

Abstract

A review of recent developments in the progressive failure analysis of laminated composite structural elements such as beams, plates, panels and shells is presented in this paper. Composite materials are increasingly used to harness their advantages such as high strength to light weight, easy fabrication of structural components to the desired complicated geometry particularly in aerospace structures. Since the failure of composite laminates are progressive in nature compared to their metallic counter parts, it signifies to have better analysis methods to predict the progressive failure of laminated composites. A vast number of researches have taken place in this field. A few of the most relevant research articles are reviewed and presented here briefly.