Rate dependent multiscale modelling of fibre reinforced composites

Abstract

A multiscale modelling technique has been developed to predict the strain rate dependent properties of a fibre reinforced composite system. The full stress-strain behaviour through yield of an amine cured epoxy resin matrix (tetraglycidyl 4,49-diaminodiphenylmethane) has been predicted using group interaction modelling. These data are used in a three-dimensional finite element model to obtain strain concentration factors of fibres adjacent to a fibre break in a unidirectional composite. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed to predict the tensile failure strain of a single composite layer and by assembling these layers the ultimate failure strain of the composite system is predicted. The technique is repeated over three different strain rates and consistency with experiment is observed.

Micromechanical modelling of the longitudinal compressive and tensile failure of unidirectional composites: The effect of fibre misalignment introduced via a stochastic process

“…These local mechanisms are assessed with no prior cracks in the matrix, since they play an important role in the stress recovery of the broken fibre and consequently in the debond length (Swolfs et al, 2015b). Moreover, there are several parameters which locally affect the tensile damage process, such as, distribution of the microstructure, material properties of the matrix constituent, and strain-rate (Zeng et al, 1997, Heuvel van den et al, 2000, Zhao, Takeda, 2000, Hobbiebrunken et al, 2007, Foreman et al, 2009, Swolfs et al, 2015b, Tavares et al, 2017, where most of which were analysed by Tavares et al (2019a) using the Spring Element Model (SEM).…”

Characterization and modeling of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐a epoxy cured with aliphatic liquid amines

“…So far, published work on the validation of GIM has been completed on a number of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, with a significant amount of work being done on multifunctional epoxy resins cured with aromatic amines. Perhaps the most notable of the papers dealing with GIM predictions of thermoplastic polymers, was that by Porter and Gould, which extended GIM to include relationships for the post‐yield strain softening and hardening effects, validated by experimental data on polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate.…”

“…A significant amount of work has been carried out by Foreman et al on the validation of GIM for epoxy resins focusing on TGDDM, TGPAP, and 4,4′‐DDS. Foreman et al extends previous validation to include a wider range of properties including the stress‐strain response, glass and beta transitions, density and linear thermal expansion coefficient of TGDDM/4,4′‐DDS, giving predictions that are in excellent agreement with experimental data.…”

“…Work by Ersoy et al further extends the work by Foreman et al by using GIM predictions for the stress‐strain response of Hexcel 8552 resin in FEA models, to predict the modulus and other properties of AS4/8552 composite, with good agreement against literature values.…”

Multi-scale modelling of the effect of a viscoelastic matrix on the strength of a carbon fibre composite

“…This information is then used in a statistical model to predict ultimate composite strength. A Monte Carlo type simulation assesses the propagation of fibre failure events through the composite as a function of the GIM and FEA predicted properties of the matrix and fibres [9,10].…”