Benchmarking of strength models for unidirectional composites under longitudinal tension. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bunsell, Anthony; Gorbatikh, Larissa; Morton, Hannah; Pimenta, Soraia; Sinclair, Ian; Spearing, Mark; Swolfs, Yentl; Thionnet, Alain
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 111(2018)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: A. Polymer-matrix composites -- B. Fragmentation -- B. Strength -- C. Micro-mechanics; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.03.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Several modelling approaches are available in the literature to predict longitudinal tensile failure of fibre-reinforced polymers. However, a systematic, blind and unbiased comparison between the predictions from the different models and against experimental data has never been performed. This paper presents a benchmarking exercise performed for three different models from the literature: (i) an analytical hierarchical scaling law for composite fibre bundles, (ii) direct numerical simulations of composite fibre bundles, and (iii) a multiscale finite-element simulation method. The results show that there are significant discrepancies between the predictions of the different modelling approaches for fibre-break density evolution, cluster formation and ultimate strength, and that each of the three models presents unique advantages over the others. Blind model predictions are also compared against detailed computed-tomography experiments, showing that our understanding of the micromechanics of longitudinal tensile failure of composites needs to be developed further.