Abstract
The interaction between matrix cracks and interface delamination is a major failure mechanism in composite laminates and has been a subject of active research in recent years. Although coupled failure behaviour of composite laminates between matrix cracks and delamination has been observed in experiments, accurate modelling of this phenomenon for application in composite structures remains challenging. In this work, a three-dimensional separable cohesive element (SCE) is proposed to enable the modelling of interaction between matrix cracking and interfacial delamination in laminated fibre-reinforced composite materials. It is demonstrated that traditional cohesive elements are incapable of modelling the coupled failure mechanisms accurately if partitioning is not allowed. The SCE may be partitioned according to the configuration and geometry of matrix cracks in adjacent plies, thus maintaining appropriate connection between plies. Physically, the original interface is split and new interfaces are formed to bond the homologous cracked solids during fracturing process. The stress concentration induced by matrix cracks and the load transfer from cracked solid elements to interface cohesive element are effectively modelled. The proposed SCE is applied to model progressive failure in composite laminates and the results are found to agree with experiments.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | ECCM 2018 - 18th European Conference on Composite Materials |
Publisher | Applied Mechanics Laboratory |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781510896932 |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Event | ECCM18: 18th European Conference on Composite Materials - Athens, Greece Duration: 24 Jun 2018 → 28 Jun 2018 Conference number: 18 http://www.eccm18.org/ |
Publication series
Name | ECCM 2018 - 18th European Conference on Composite Materials |
---|
Conference
Conference | ECCM18: 18th European Conference on Composite Materials |
---|---|
Abbreviated title | ECCM18 |
Country/Territory | Greece |
City | Athens |
Period | 24/06/18 → 28/06/18 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Computational modelling
- Floating node method
- Fracture
- Laminates