Computational analysis of crack formation and propagation in quasi-brittle fibre reinforced composites

Abstract

Prediction of quasi-brittle behaviour of structural components from fibre reinforced composites under mechanical loads should incorporate such physical processes as elastic, resp. plastic deformation, crack initiation, crack propagation in a matrix, pull out of fibres and rupture of fibres. The computational model for the practically most important case of cementitious composites containing short intentionally or quasi-randomly oriented steel, ceramic, resp. polymeric fibres with its primary import of suppression of tensile stresses in a matrix will be introduced. Its numerical approach relies on the modified extended finite element technique (XFEM), open to the implementation of the cohesive traction separation law.