Comparison between two cohesive-zone models for the analysis of interface debonding

Two cohesive-zone models, one developed by Valoroso & Champaney and the other initially proposed by Crisfield and co-workers and later modified by Alfano & Crisfield, are used for studying a set of delamination problems. Both models consider irreversible damage of the interface and account for mixed-mode debonding by satisfying a generalised ellipse-like interaction criterion. In this paper a comparative analysis of the two models is carried out; results are presented and discussed for numerical simulations referring to both single-mode and mixed-mode situations.