The purpose of the present study is to analyze fiber-matrix debonding and induced matrix cracking formation as two major micromechanical damage modes in cross-ply composite laminates using a two-dimensional numerical approach. To this aim, the cross-ply laminates containing 90-degree layers are modeled, where the fibers are arranged randomly in transverse plies. Damage modes in this numerical model are simulated by the cohesive surface method. The performed analyses reveal that in the laminates with 90-degree layers located in the outer positions, the primary micro damage mode is micro matrix cracking which is initiated from the fiber-matrix debonding damage mode and will be followed by matrix cracking. The main benefit of the present study in comparison to other numerical methods is proposing a virtual test method for damage analysis of different cross-ply laminates in which, the matrix cracking formation will emerge physically in a random and antisymmetric pattern similar to the experimental observations.
K E Y W O R D S
The transverse strength of 90° plies located in cross‐ply laminates subjected to transverse tension is investigated numerically. To reach this aim, it is assumed that the transverse cracking is formed by coalescence of fiber–matrix debonding, which propagates along the planes parallel to the fibers. The two‐dimensional finite element model (FEM) investigates the dominant micromechanical damage mechanisms, fiber–matrix debonding, and matrix cracking using the cohesive zone model (CZM) and plasticity, respectively. The numerical simulation is according to the extended computational micromechanics (ECMM) approach, which can be applied as a useful virtual test method instead of performing costly characterization tests. The results obtained from the present study show that the defects such as voids, imperfections, and residual stresses contribute to reducing the in situ strength of 90° plies. In the case of using an interleaved woven layer, the formation of the first transverse crack in unit cells within 90° layer is delayed.
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