An high order Mixed Interpolation Tensorial Components (MITC) shell element approach for delaminated composite modeling

This paper describes the experimental and numerical studies carried out on delaminated fiberglass epoxy resin laminates made-up by different fabrication methods, namely by vacuum infusion and prepreg. While the tested specimens were originally intended for the assessment of buckling behavior of composite laminates of wind turbine blades, results were found valuable for the marine industry as well, because similar laminates are used for the hull shell and stiffeners. Systematic calculations were carried out to assess the effects of an embedded delamination on the buckling load, varying the size and through thickness position of the delamination. Different finite element modeling strategies were considered and validated against the experimental results. The one applying the 9 nodes MITC shell elements was found matching the experimental data despite failure modes were different for the two fabrication methods.