This paper deals with the progressive failure analysis of composite laminates. Triangular elements which include the transverse shear effects are us.d for the stress analysis. A new method for the calculation of the shear correction factors is presented. Several failure criteria are used to check the first ply failure and distinguish the laminate failure modes into fiber breakage or buckling, matrix cracking and delamination. After the failure is detected, the stiffness of the failed ply is modified according to the failure modes. The ultimate strength of the laminate is obtained by an iterative way. Several examples are given in the paper for stress analysis and progressive failure analysis of composite laminates.
