A comparison of experimental data with multicontinuum failure simulations of composite laminates subjected to tri-axial stresses

Abstract

This article presents progressive failure predictions, and comparisons against experimental data, for a variety of continuous fiber composite laminates subjected to multiaxial stress states. The work is part of a broader effort known as the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise. The emphasis of Second World-Wide Failure Exercise is a study of the influence of hydrostatic compressive stress on the stress–strain response and ultimate failure of the composite laminates studied. Polymers tend to exhibit significant increases in ultimate strength in the presence of hydrostatic compressive stresses. Nonlinear stress–strain behavior is also commonly observed. The complex material behavior of polymers presents several challenges in the analysis of composite materials where polymer resins are used as the matrix constituent. Failure simulations presented are multiscale in nature, consisting of a nonlinear finite element formulation with resolution extending down to the lamina level. The finite element analysis is further coupled to a multicontinuum theory where fiber and matrix constituents are treated as separate but linked continua. In general, the results of the multicontinuum theory failure simulations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The simulations were able to capture a variety of interesting material behaviors that are illuminated by the unique constituent level information provided in a multicontinuum theory analysis.

Failure analysis of composite laminates subjected to hydrostatic stresses: A multicontinuum approach

“…6. Finally, comparison between the current theoretical predictions with relevant experimental data is made in Hansen et al 21 And the performance of the MCT theory in relation to 11 other methods is fully described in Kaddour and Hinton. 22 Funding , m (matrix)) {"} composite total strain tensor in contracted (matrix) notation {" } constituent total strain tensor in contracted notation ( ¼ f (fiber), m (matrix)) {" o } composite thermal strain tensor in contracted notation {" o } constituent thermal strain tensor in contracted notation ( ¼ f (fiber), m (matrix)) {} composite stress tensor in contracted notation { } constituent stress tensor in contracted notation ( ¼ f (fiber), m (matrix)) Nelson et al 2483…”

The background to Part B of the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise: Evaluation of theories for predicting failure in polymer composite laminates under three-dimensional states of stress

“…(3) In-plane shear terms in stress amplification factors were averaged to avoid overestimation of local stress concentration for regions within the matrix and in the vicinity of the fiber-matrix interface. Hansen, Refs [66,67] No modifications, except fine-tuning modes of failure Huang, Refs [68,69] Modification to the fibre failure criteria and input data of the properties of the constituents. Hashin, Refs [60,61] Suggested possible adjustment for prediction failure of isotropic materials.…”

“…Part A of the WWFE-II was conducted between 2007 and 2009 and it captured full details of the theoretical models and failure criteria of the participants and the results of their blind predictions. A total of 12 groups, see Table 2, representing 12 failure criteria, have participated, and their methods covered the following failure models: 3-D Maximum strain theory, referred to as Bogetti’s model, Refs [64,65], M icromechanical based H ybrid M esoscopic (MHM) 3-D approach, referred to as Carrere’s model, Refs [54,55], F ailure M ode C oncept (FMC) model, referred to as Cuntze’s model, Refs [62,63] M icro M echanics of F ailure (MMF) model, referred to as Ha’s model, Refs [56, 57] (The same referred to as Ha-Tsai in Refs [44,70]) M ulti- C ontinuum micro-mechanics T heory (MCT), referred to as Hansen’s model, Refs [66,67], Anisotropic plasticity, bridging model and constituents’ generalised maximum stress, referred to as Huang’s model, Refs [68,69], Hashin’s model, Refs [60,61], 3-D physically-based constitutive model, referred to as Pinho’s model, Refs [48,49], Physically based 3-D phenomenological model, referred to as Puck’s model, Refs [50,51], Interactive matrix and fibre failure theory, referred to as Rotem’s model, Refs [52,53], Maximum strain energy method, referred to as Wolfe’s model, Refs [58,59] and Christensen’s theory, Refs [46,47]. …”

“…[71]. Individual papers, provided by the participants, describing the degree of correlation between their individual predictions and the experimental data, and a description of any refinements in theory introduced to resolve shortfalls, Refs [47, 49,51,53,55,57,59,61,63,65,69,67]. A final paper, provided by the organisers, which contains an assessment of the overall predictive capabilities of the various theories when compared with the experimental results, Ref.…”

Effect of Fiber Volume Fraction Variation Across Multiple Length Scales on Composite Stress Variation: The Possibility of Stochastic Multiscale Analysis

“…In particular, localization tensors are often used to extract constituent stresses at specific points or on average [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] ; these stresses are then used to predict constituent failure. The RVEs used for this approach are almost always idealized: perfect bonding between constituents, constant material properties, and regular fiber packing (typically hexagonal or square).…”