Abstract
As composites continue to be increasingly used, finite element material models that homogenize the composite response become the only logical choice as not only modeling the entire composite microstructure is computationally expensive but obtaining the entire suite of experimental data to characterize deformation and failure may not be possible. The focus of this paper is the development of a modeling framework where plasticity, damage, and failure-related experimental data are obtained for each composite constituent. Mesoscale finite elements models consisting of multiple repeating unit cells are then generated and used to represent a typical carbon fiber/epoxy resin unidirectional composite to generate the complete principal direction stress-strain curves. These models are subjected to various uniaxial states of stress and compared with experimental data. They demonstrate a reasonable match and provide the basic framework to completely define the composite homogenized material model that can be used as a vehicle for failure predictions.
Highlights
Predicting failure in composite structures has historically proven to be a challenging task
Virtual Test Results: Figure 28 shows that failure of the specimen initiates on a plane perpendicular to the direction of loading (X direction)
◦, which is consistent bottom view shows a measured fracture angle of approximately measured fracture angle of approximately 50°, which is consistent with to transverse transverse comcomwith experimental experimental observations observations of of unidirectional unidirectional composites composites subjected subjected to pression loading as the response of the material is dominated by shear mechanisms in pression loading as the response of the material is dominated by shear mechanisms in the the Fibers 2021, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEWepoxy
Summary
Predicting failure in composite structures has historically proven to be a challenging task. Researchers have proposed various methods to solve this problem, with many of these methods being compared and thoroughly tested as a part of the first, second, and third world-wide failure exercise [1,2]. Attempting to mathematically describe the failure mechanisms is challenging [3], especially when different material combinations and architectures are considered as failure is typically caused by phenomena originating at the microscale or mesoscale and are difficult to mathematically quantify. In our earlier work [4], a combination of physical and virtual testing was used to generate the deformation-related behavior of unidirectional composites. We will show why those ideas can and need to be extended to describe the deformation and damage and especially failure predictions
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