*Proceeding Paper* **Investigation of Progressive Delamination Growth Characterization in Composite Materials †**

**Nadeem Aslam 1, Muhammad Haroon 1,2,\*, Muhammad Arsalan Munawar 1, Shummaila Rasheed <sup>2</sup> and Manzar Masud <sup>2</sup>**


**Abstract:** Composite-materials-based structures are extensively used in aerospace structures owing to their high strength-to-weight ratio and high specific modulus. There are different types of failures in a composite material subjected to multiple types of loading, but delamination is the most important one and occurs where the material fractures into layers. In this current research, a cohesive zone method approach is applied to investigate the fracture mechanics due to delamination. Finite element analysis was used for the delamination characterization in composite materials in which 2D and 3D models of double cantilever beams (DCBs) were used. ABAQUS Software was used for analysis completion. It is observed that the cohesive element's size must be 0.5 mm or less in order to forecast delamination precisely for double cantilever beams. It was also determined that the initial stiffness could not be less, or else the damage initiation cannot be forecast correctly. The value for initial stiffness used in this research was 106 kJ/m2.

**Keywords:** delamination growth characterization; composite materials; double cantilever beam
