Characterization of meso-scale progressive failure model for fiber reinforced composites from high resolution experimental data

Abstract

The damage initiation mechanisms of a carbon-epoxy single-edge notched cross-ply [90/0/90] laminate when loaded in tension were studied using Digital Volume Correlation (DVC). The specimen was loaded to approximately 13, 22, 24, and 26% of its ultimate load, and Computerized Tomography scans were taken in situ. The scans were then used to perform a DVC analysis using the open source code FIDVC [1]. Delamination of the interfaces, splitting of the 0 ply, and transverse cracking of the 90 plies were detected from the DVC results by observing strain field redistributions across the different stages. The interpretation of the DVC results were then supported by the construction of a ply-level micromechanics based Finite Element model to better understand deformation response in the presence of delamination. The DVC analysis herein presented was conducted to serve as a case study for verification of the assumptions in Progressive Failure Analysis models of composites such as the one presented in [2]. [1] E. Bar-Kochba, J. Toyjanova, E. Andrews, K. S. Kim and C. Franck, "A Fast Iterative Digital Volume Correlation Algorithm for Large Deformations," Experimental Mechanics, vol. 55, pp. 261-274, 2015. [2] M. H. Nguyen and A. M. Waas, "A novel mode-dependent and probabilistic semi-discrete damage model for progressive failure analysis of composite laminates - Part I: Meshing strategy and mixed-mode law," Composites Part C: Open Access 3, 2020.