Cohesive-Zone Modelling Checklist
A checklist for setting up and verifying cohesive-zone models for delamination or bonded joints.
Checklist
- Cohesive elements placed at the correct interfaces
- Initial stiffness — high enough for accuracy, not too high for conditioning
- Peak tractions (N, S) from test data
- Fracture energies (G_Ic, G_IIc) from DCB and ENF tests
- Mixed-mode initiation criterion (quadratic interaction)
- Mixed-mode evolution criterion (power law or B-K)
- Enough elements in the process zone
- Mesh sensitivity checked
- Verification with DCB/ENF completed