In the present paper continuum damage based meso-model proposed by Ladvèze is used to predict the response of initially damaged laminated composites. The model is based on three foundations of meso-model, internal variable approach and method of local state. The present model is refined by replacing the interface as a very thin layer of resin. Further, this layer uses higher order approximation in transverse direction for displacement field over linear variation used in original model. This model has been implemented in the generalized layerwise and and region-by-region finite element models developed by authors. It is seen that the fibre failure mode is dominant comapared to other failure modes in giving significant difference in transverse displacement signature profiling whereas the delamination mode has weak effect. The in-plane strains also show similar behaviour. Here, the results are presented for different shapes and sizes of damage under the transverse load only. Copyright © 2008 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.