A review of computational modelling approaches to compressive failure in laminates

Abstract Microbuckling is an important failure mode for fibre reinforced composites loaded under compression and the topic has received substantial attention of the research community. This effort led to a good understanding of the basic mechanisms behind the microbuckling phenomenon. However in spite of the well-developed theory, the ability to accurately predict failure loads and other related properties based on available data has not been attained yet. This may be attributed to a number of factors, arising at different scales. Consequently, numerous computational models and methods were put forward in the literature to approach this objective and this survey attempts to provide an overview of these developments. A concise reminder of the phenomenology and theoretical basis is also included to make the present survey self-contained.