A constitutive model for rate-dependency analysis of open hole woven composites under compression loading

Abstract

The mechanical performance of composite materials under impact phenomena is of interest for several industries. Although the effect of the strain rate on composites significantly affects the behaviour of these materials, most studies describe the mechanical behaviour of CFRP laminates neglecting the strain rate dependence. This work presents a new constitutive model to numerically implement the change of in-plane properties of an plain weave CFRP (AGP193) over a wide range of strain rates (up to 500 s−1). Open hole compression tests are used to validate the model under quasi-static and dynamic loading. The importance of implementing the influence of strain rate on mechanical properties is illustrated by the maximum strength plot and the stress–strain history, both of which would be underestimated without the inclusion of strain rate in the model. The strain rates at the edge of the hole greatly exceed the average values in the sample, leading to an underestimation of the apparent strength up to 100% if the strain rate effect is not taken into account.