Fiber break model for tension-tension fatigue of unidirectional composites

Abstract

Damage progression in unidirectional (UD) composites in tension-tension fatigue is vital to understanding fatigue in more complex laminates and loading conditions. We therefore developed the UD fatigue model that considers fiber breaks, fiber-matrix debond growth, fiber fatigue as well as interactions of these damage modes. The contribution of each mode of damage in fatigue is assessed and those that dominate fatigue damage are identified. The model accounts for Weibull statistics of fiber strength and stress redistribution around fiber breaks. The predictions for fatigue loading indicate a significantly higher density of fiber breaks and clusters compared to quasi-static loading at the same stress level. The model predicts S–N curves in pure uniaxial tension-tension fatigue loading and does not consider stress concentrations caused near the grips; the predictions therefore tend to overpredict fatigue life compared to experimental S–N curves available in the literature. The model has potential to be developed for different loading conditions.