An energy-equivalent bridging map formulation for modelling delamination in through-thickness reinforced composite laminates

A new multi-scale framework to numerically model the bridging effect in through-thickness reinforced (TTR) composite laminates with z-pins is presented. The framework first establishes a library of bridging maps, calculated by a micromechanical semi-analytical constitutive bridging model. For the macro-scale, a tri-linear cohesive law has been developed to model initiation and propagation of the interfacial damage in the presence of z-pins. The...