Damage modeling of laminated composites: validation of the inter-laminar damage law of SAMCEF at the coupon level for UD plies

In this paper, the material model available in SAMCEF for the progressive ply damage modeling of composite laminates is validated by comparing simulation and tests results, at the coupon level. Laminated composites with unidirectional plies (UD) of different orientations are studied. The parameter identification procedure is discussed. It is shown that a very limited amount of tests is needed to identify the parameters, and that once obtained, these can be used in the simulation to predict the behavior of coupons made of any other stacking sequence.