DCB test - CONTINUUM SHELL ELEMENTS vs SOLID ELEMENTS

Hello,

I modelled a 3-D DCB (Double Cantilever Beam) test specimen to simulate crack propagation (delamination) in composite materials.

To do so, I used surface cohesive properties between plates in Abaqus/Explicit, and applied a displacement at the plates tips.

When I used continuum shell elements the crack propagated as expected and the delamination occurred.

But when I used homogeneous solid elements (with the same properties used before), the crack did not propagate at all. 

It seems that the continuum shell plates are much more stiff than the solid ones...

Do anyone knows why this is happening?

Thank you for your time and attention.

Best regards,

David Melo

(PORTUGAL)