Fiber-reinforced composite structures are well established in lightweight engineering applications across aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. However, understanding and predicting failure in such structures is still challenging and requires a thorough knowledge of the underlying damage mechanisms as well as reliable analytical and numerical modelling tools. This session focuses on experimental, analytical, and computational approaches to characterize failure initiation and progression in composite structures and their joints, including damage at the ply and laminate level. Contributions addressing damage-tolerant design strategies, tailored laminate architectures or crack arrest features, are equally welcome. Work linking experimental validation with modelling efforts, as well as contributions considering the use of conventional fibers (carbon or glass) and natural fibers (flax, hemp, jute) from a sustainability perspective, is especially encouraged.