Comparison between two approaches for the simulation of delamination growth in a D.C.B. specimen

Abstract This paper considers two methods for modelling delamination growth in laminated composite materials. The first one uses a fracture mechanics approach in which the energy release rate is computed with the θ -method under the assumption of large displacements. The second approach is based on the use of interface elements in which the progressive debonding is described through the introduction of a damage value. Both methods are compared to experiments and to analytical results on the example of a Double Cantilever Beam specimen.