A novel layered finite element model for predicting the damage behavior of metal laminated composite

Considering the structural characteristics of metal laminated composite (MLC), a novel layered finite element model is established to predict the damage behavior of MLC. Cohesive model and Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model are used to describe the damage behavior of interface region and metal matrix of MLC, respectively. The damage mechanism of Ti/Al laminated composite with a wavy interface morphology is analyzed. During tensile plastic deformation, the stress distribution inside each metal matrix layer is inhomogeneous due to the wave interface structure. Stress concentration tends to occur near the peak of the wave interface region, which results in larger local plastic deformation. The metal matrix at the peak of the wave interface region is easy to shrink due to the local normal stress, which drives the normal displacement of cohesive elements of the interface region. When the deformation displacement of cohesive elements reaches the maximum normal cracking displacement, crack will nucleate. The damage of metal matrix of MLC is caused by voids evolution, and the metal matrix will be fractured when the voids volume fraction reaches to fF.