A phase-field model for fracture of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites

Denli F. A., Gultekin O., Holzapfel G. A., DAL H.

COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS, vol.65, no.4, pp.1149-1166, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00466-019-01812-1
  • Journal Name: COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Compendex, INSPEC, MathSciNet, zbMATH, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1149-1166
  • Keywords: Fracture, Failure, Fiber-reinforced polymers, FRP composites, Crack phase-field model, Anisotropic failure criterion, CRACK-PROPAGATION, FAILURE CRITERIA, FREE-ENERGY, DELAMINATION, FORMULATION, SIMULATION, DERIVATION, MECHANICS, STRENGTH, BALANCE
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study presents a crack phase-field approach for anisotropic continua to model, in particular, fracture of fiber-reinforced matrix composites. Starting with the variational formulation of the multi-field problem of fracture in terms of the deformation and the crack phase fields, the governing equations feature the evolution of the anisotropic crack phase-field and the balance of linear momentum, presented for finite and small strains. A recently proposed energy-based anisotropic failure criterion is incorporated into the model with a constitutive threshold function regulating the crack initiation in regard to the matrix and the fibers in a superposed framework. Representative numerical examples are shown for the crack initiation and propagation in unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites under Mode-I, Mode-II and mixed-mode bending. Model parameters are obtained by fitting to sets of experimental data. The associated finite element results are able to capture anisotropic crack initiation and growth in unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite laminates.