Finite Element Modeling of Dynamic Failure of Composite Laminates Under Transverse Tensile Loading

Abstract

In this paper, the dynamic failure of unidirectional E-glass/epoxy composite laminates under transverse tensile loading was investigated using finite element numerical simulation. The 3D Hashin failure criteria were used to estimate the fiber and matrix damage initiation. The composite modulus and failure strain considered the strain rate effects. The cohesive behavior was applied to describe the delamination failure between different composite layers. This model was implemented in the finite element code (Abaqus/Explicit) by a user-defined material subroutine. The numerical results illustrate that the prediction of damage surface, transverse modulus, tensile strength, and failure strain is in good agreement with published experimental results. Then, the delamination of each interface at strain rate of 45.48 s−1 was studied. Finally, the effects of the strain rate on the transverse modulus and tensile failure strain at different strain rates were output, and the strain rate dependence of modulus and failure strain was discussed and investigated.