Integrating parametric HFGMC and isogeometric RZT[formula omitted] for multiscale damage modeling of composite structures: A numerical and experimental study

Abstract

In this research effort, a novel multiscale analysis scheme is proposed for damage modeling of composite laminates, sandwich structures, and stiffened plates relying on capabilities of the parametric HFGMC and isogeometric RZT{3,2} formulations. The Ramberg Osgood (RO) model is incorporated into the micromechanics model to reflect polymer matrix material nonlinearities on the overall homogenized composite behavior. Carbon fibers are assumed to behave in a linear transversely isotropic manner. The higher order RZT{3,2} theory employed at the macro level facilitates efficient applicability of the model to thick composite laminates and soft core sandwiches. On the other hand, it generates all three-dimensional stress components and thus ensures dimensional consistency between micro and macro levels. Numerical discretization and prediction of RZT{3,2} kinematic variables are enabled by performing NURBS based isogeometric analysis (IGA) thereby enhancing modeling efficacy to a significant degree. Soft core plasticity and failure in the composite are evaluated at the macro level through the RO model and Hashin criteria, respectively. Applicability of the method is presented for thin and thick flat composite and sandwich laminates; and further extended to stiffened plates via developing a multipatch formulation. A comprehensive validation of our analysis is conducted by comparing the results with established benchmarks from the literature, experimental data, and three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM) simulations. Initially, a moderately thick, simply supported square laminate under transverse loading is examined, a common verification benchmark. Then, results from standard mechanical tests, including tensile, shear, and four-point bending tests on thin laminates, followed by experiments on moderately thick sandwich structures subjected to four-point bending, are presented. Finally, the analysis is extended to a stiffened plate under uniform pressure, demonstrating the method’s accuracy and applicability across diverse structural configurations.