General analytical solution to bending of composite laminated beams with delaminations

Based on the first-order shear deformable beam theory, a refined model for composite beams containing a through-the-width delamination is presented, and the deformation at the delamination front is considered. Different from the ordinary delaminated beam theory, each of the perfectly bonded portions of the new model is constructed as two separated beams along the interface without assuming a plane section at the delamination front. The governing equations of the delaminated portions and bonded ones are established, combined with continuity conditions of displacements and internal forces. Solutions of delaminated composite beams with different boundary conditions, delamination locations and sizes are shown in excellent agreement with the finite element results, showing efficiency and applicability of the present model.