Abstract: A nonlinear finite element program in terms of the nonlinear shear stress-shear strain relation proposed by Hahn and Tsai is used to simulate the progressive damage of laminated composites with a circulor hole subjected to remote tensile loading.Stress,strain and ultimate strength of laminates are analyzed by this program.Compared with the experimental data in earlier paper,the nonlinear approch is more accurate than the linear approach,especially for orthotropic laminate.The parametric study manifests that the variance of nonlinearity coefficient has more serious effect on orthotropic plate than on quasi-isotropic plate.