Modeling and Simulation of Failure Processes in Composites

Abstract

The paper describes recent research conducted at Rensselaer aimed at modeling and simulation of failure processes in composite materials and structures using micromechanical and macromechanical approaches. The micromechanical approach is based on the mathematical homogenization theory with eigenstrains and a rapid post-processing procedure, which enables you to solve large scale structural systems in heterogeneous media at a cost comparable to problems in homogeneous media without significantly compromising on solution accuracy. The building blocks of the macromechanical approach are as follows: (i) enriching through-the-thickness kinematics of the shell to compute 3D effects, (ii) simulation of the delamination growth by incorporating discontinuous through-the-thickness interpolants, (iii) development delamination indicators to predict the critical regions so that enriched shell elements would be used only when and where it is necessary to do so, (iv) use of continuum damage mechanics approach to simulate evolution of delamination growth, and (v) calibration of critical damage parameters at the interface against the fracture toughnesses.