Simulation of progressive failure in laminated composites under variable environmental conditions. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sengodan, Ganapathi Ammasai; Allegri, Giuliano; Hallett, Stephen R.
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 196(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Temperature -- Moisture -- Matrix-cracking -- Delamination -- Fibre-failure; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents the development, calibration and finite element implementation of a novel set of phenomenological equations describing the effect of temperature and moisture on the stiffness, strength and toughness properties of fibre-reinforced plastics. An extension of the classical Zhurkov's kinetic approach is proposed to describe the effect of temperature and moisture on the ply-level matrix-dominated strength properties. The phenomenological equations are implemented into a finite-element simulation framework, consisting of a smeared crack approach for modelling intralaminar and translaminar failure, coupled with a bi-linear cohesive zone approach to describe delamination onset and progressive growth. The modelling approach is calibrated by means of experimental data in the open literature for the carbon-epoxy material IM7/8552. Validation case studies for the simulation strategy include quasi-isotropic short beam shear coupons and open-hole specimens subject to tension. It is demonstrated that the proposed simulation framework provides a comprehensive quantitative description of the role played by environmental effects in terms of development and interaction of intralaminar, interlaminar and translaminar damage processes. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: A unified semi-analytical model for temperature and moisture dependent strength of a carbon/epoxy composite is developed. Phenomenological equations for hygro-thermal dependent in-plane shear strength, stiffness, and fracture energy are proposed The phenomenological equations are implemented into FE-based numerical procedures using CDM coupled with CZM models. The consistency and robustness of the FE implementation are verified via experimental data from ASTM-standard tests. Open-hole tensile tests in 'hot-wet' conditions show an increase in strength that correctly predicted by the simulations.