Initiation and evolution of debonding phenomena in layered structures

A new methodology based on a moving mesh technique and a multilayer formulation is proposed with the purpose to predict crack onset, evolution and coalescence of the interlaminar damage mechanisms. In particular, a numerical approach based on Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation combined with shear-deformable beam elements is implemented in a numerical procedure based on the finite element method. The moving mesh technique combined with a multilayer formulation ensures a reduction of the computational costs, required to predict crack onset and subsequent evolution of the debonding phenomena. The analysis is performed with respect to several onset configurations, including the case in which multiple debonding mechanisms with coalescence affects the interfaces. The proposed approach is quite robust to be implemented also in dynamics, in which the process zone is known to advance at high speed ranges. In order to verify the proposed modeling, a sensitivity study in terms of convergence and stability of the solution is proposed. Moreover, comparisons with existing results available from the literature are developed with the purpose to verify the reliability and the consistency of the proposed formulation. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd