Spectral Stiffness Microplane Model for Quasibrittle Composite Laminates—Part II: Calibration and Validation

Abstract

The spectral stiffness microplane (SSM) model developed in the preceding Part I of this study is verified by comparisons with experimental data for uniaxial and biaxial tests of unidirectional and multidirectional laminates. The model is calibrated by simulating the experimental data on failure stress envelopes analyzed in the recent so-called “World Wide Failure Exercise,” in which various existing theories were compared. The present theory fits the experiments as well as the theories that were best in the exercise. In addition, it can simulate the post-peak softening behavior and fracture, which is important for evaluating the energy-dissipation capability of composite laminate structures. The post-peak softening behavior and fracture are simulated by means of the crack band approach which involves a material characteristic length.