Orthotropic criteria for transverse failure of non-crimp fabric-reinforced composites. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molker, Henrik; Wilhelmsson, Dennis; Gutkin, Renaud; Asp, Leif E
• Is Part Of: Journal of composite materials. Volume 50:Number 18(2016)
• Page Start: 2445
• Page End: 2458
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Carbon fibre composites -- textile fabrics -- transverse strength -- failure envelopes -- representative volume element; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998315605877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9983

Abstract

In this paper, a set of failure criteria for transverse failure in non-crimp fabric-reinforced composites is presented. The proposed failure criteria are physically based and take into account the orthotropic character of non-crimp fabric composites addressing the observed lack of transverse isotropy. Experimental data for transverse loading out-of-plane in combination with in-plane loads are scarce. Therefore, to validate the developed criteria, experimental data are complemented with numerical data from a representative volume element model using a meso-micromechanical approach. The representative volume element model also provides a deeper understanding of how failure occurs in non-crimp fabric composites. Strength predictions from the developed set of failure criteria show good agreement with the experimental and numerical data.