Abstract: Based on the unified representation of interfacial damage,a finite element model of composite laminates with interfacial damage is developed.The interfacial bonding conditions are satisfied by the introduction of two transverse shear deformation functions.For a local damage the continuities through the cross-sections at the edges of the damage are ensured accurately and simply by choosing the matching conditions of the geometrical matrices of the adjacent elements at the edges.Three kinds of interfacial bonding conditions,perfect bonding,weak bonding and delamination,may be conveniently dealt with by choosing interfacial toughness coefficients.The element has only 6 nodal degrees of freedom.The accuracy of this element is demonstrated and the effects of interfacial damage on laminates with various parameters are discussed in the numerical examples.