Peridynamic modeling of toughening enhancement in unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites with micro-cracks

Basoglu M. F., Kefal A., Zerin Z., Oterkus E.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES, vol.297, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 297
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.115950
  • Journal Name: COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Peridynamics, Toughening, Composite, Fracture, Micro -Crack, Unidirectional Lamina, FRACTURE, PROPAGATION, MICROCRACKS, DEFORMATION, GROWTH, ENERGY
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The matrix component of composite structures is generally brittle. In any damage occurrence, fracture propagates rapidly through the structure. This study proposes a novel toughening enhancement model for unidirectional (UD) composites to overcome these damage-propagation issues. The toughening mechanism is established by introducing the so-called micro defects/cracks for increasing the toughness of the matrix constituent of the composite structure. Mechanical simulations are performed utilizing a non-local continuum formulation known as Peridynamics (PD). The PD formulation facilitates modeling material discontinuities such as complex crack/ defect formations with arbitrary size, orientation, and location features in composite structures. Here, the toughening enhancement models are established by allocating various micro-crack formations in three different fiber orientations (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) of UD composite plates. The toughening effects of micro-crack clusters are thoroughly analyzed by making comprehensive comparisons of the propagation speed of an initially introduced macro-crack and its tip strain energy density. As a result, various micro-crack distributions are established to provide an augmented toughness to the brittle composite materials, and their key features are assessed in detail.