Computational micromechanical modeling of transverse tensile damage behavior in unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced plastic composite plies: Ductile versus brittle fracture mechanics approach

Abstract

A detailed micromechanical finite element analysis methodology is presented to predict the transverse tensile (fiber perpendicular) failure behavior of a unidirectional (UD) glass fiber-reinforced plastic composite ply. In order to understand the constituent-level stress–strain and damage behavior, finite element analysis is accomplished using representative volume element (RVE) that consists of random fiber distribution as observed in the microscopic image of an actual composite ply. For modeling the fiber/matrix interface failure behavior, cohesive zone module (cohesive surface/cohesive element) of Abaqus® is used. In order to capture the epoxy matrix stiffness and strength degradation, the following two different approaches are used: (i) initially, the linear Drucker–Prager plasticity model in combination with a ductile fracture criterion is used; (ii) later, a brittle failure approach such as the quadratic normal stress criterion within the framework of eXtended finite element method is used. From the detailed micromechanical analysis of the RVE, it is observed that the initial damage in the RVE occurs in the form of fiber/matrix interface decohesion. With increasing tensile load, interface crack propagates and creates a stress concentration region in the matrix material, adjacent to the crack tip. Further load application causes both interface crack tip and matrix stress concentration to move away from the load application direction. As soon as the interface crack tip reaches approximately 60° to 70° away from the load application direction, the conjunction of the matrix damage with the interface crack leads to the RVE final failure. The predicted average stress–strain curves from the above-mentioned two different epoxy matrix failure criterions (ductile and brittle) correlate very well with the experimental results, indicating that the brittle failure behavior of a UD fiber-reinforced plastic composite ply under transverse tensile load is mainly controlled by the fiber/matrix interface properties.

An Enhanced Lemaitre Model and Fracture Map for Cr5 Alloy Steel during High-Temperature Forming Process

“…In order to obtain the Lemaitre damage model of Cr5 alloy steel suitable for different temperatures and different strain rates, the Zener–Hollomon coefficient was coupled with the traditional Lemaitre damage model, and the damage parameter values of the Cr5 alloy steel at different temperatures and different strain rates were obtained. As such, a Lemaitre damage model of the Cr5 alloy steel which is suitable for different temperatures and different strain rates can be built, the Lemaitre damage model can be coupled using the Zener–Hollomon coefficient, and it can be used to manufacture Cr5 alloy steel products at different temperatures and strain rates in industrial production [ 39 ].…”

Numerical Study on the Effect of Matrix Self-Heating on the Thermo-Visco-Plastic Response of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Polymers under Transverse Tensile Loading

“…They concluded that a model size containing 30 to 50 fibers is sufficient to represent the homogenized behavior. Sharma and Daggumati [ 7 ], Liu and Li [ 8 ], and Wan et al [ 9 ] investigated the initial failure location and damage evolution under transverse loading. The works of Yan and Ran [ 10 ], Asp et al [ 11 ], Hobbiebrunken et al [ 12 ], and Moraleda et al [ 13 ] investigate the effect of the strength of the interface on the damage evolution.…”

“…For example, Bai et al [ 25 ] use a paraboloidal yield criterion in combination with a thermo-visco-plastic hardening law to include both the effect of strain rate and temperature. Sharma and Daggumati [ 7 ] use a linear Drucker–Prager plasticity model with a ductile damage criterion for the matrix. The choice of the specific constitutive behavior for the matrix is usually based on the experimental evidence from tensile or compressive tests on the bulk matrix.…”

A convex anisotropic damage model based on the compliance tensor

“…The tensor order of the damage variable naturally distinguishes different phenomenological damage models. Even today, the classical scalar isotropic damage variable serves as a reliable workhorse with numerous applications including cast steel with pores (Yan et al., 2020), concrete (Li and Wu, 2018), rocks (Liu et al., 2018; Xu et al., 2018), framed structures (Yang et al., 2017), unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced plastic composite plies (Sharma and Daggumati, 2020), fibrous composite laminae (Abu-Farsakh and Asfa, 2020), notched epoxy resin specimens (Rahimi et al., 2020) and steel-fiber reinforced concrete (Moradi et al., 2020).…”