Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model for calculating the strain energy release rate (SERR) at the crack tip of composite laminates was built up based on the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). The model involved effects on SERR computation by large rotation of the crack tip and variety of discrete element shapes. The method of SERR calculation at the crack tip was modified. When crack lengths were 15 mm and 35 mm，the SERRs of pure modeⅠand modeⅡwere computed with this model. The SERRs of pure modeⅠare 207 J/m² and 253 J/m²，and the SERRs of pure mode Ⅱare 758 J/m² and 1040 J/m². The predicted values agree with experimental data. At the same time，the mixed-mode SERRs of varied ratios R = (G_Ⅱ/G_Ⅰ+G_Ⅱ) with large cracks were also computed. The error range between predicted SERRs and experimental date is 0. 4 % to 11. 4 %. This model can exactly calculate SERRs at the crack tip.