Computational analysis of bidirectional carbon fibre/epoxy nanocomposites using different failure criteria

Abstract

Numerical analysis provides an opportunity to solve complex problems using mathematical models. The increasing trend of numerical simulations supports many industries and research organisations to reduce the experimental work. In the present study, considering the positive aspects of numerical analysis, investigations have been done using different failure criteria on the carbon fibre/epoxy composites. Various failure criteria have been discussed that can be used for unidirectional and bidirectional fibre reinforced polymer composites. In this study, the best-suited failure criteria, i.e. Maximum stress, Tsai-Wu and Hashin criteria were combined with the progressive damage analysis to investigate the failure of bidirectional woven carbon fiber/epoxy polymer composites. The experimental validations were also done for numerical predictions. It was found that the Hashin failure criterion gave the results closest to the experimental failure analysis of pin joints. In pin joints prepared from carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates, Hashin failure criteria predicted the increment in ultimate failure loads in the range of 12–16% for higher values of width to diameter (W/D) and edge to diameter (E/D) ratios. For pin joints prepared from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) added carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates, the prediction given by Hashin failure criteria was in the range of 15–19%.