Failure study of fiber/epoxy composite laminate interface using cohesive multiscale model

Abstract

In this study, finite element modeling is performed to investigate the compressive failure of the composite sandwich structures with layered composite shells. An embedded debond area between the layered composite shell and the foam core is assumed as a defect. The composite shells are several plies of equal thickness Kevlar, carbon fiber composite, and E-glass composite with epoxy resin. Three different lay-ups, namely, (0°/90°/0°/90°/0°/90°), (45°/−45°/0°/90°/60°/−30°), and (60°/−30°/90°/0°/30°/90°) are considered for symmetric and asymmetric sequences. The work focuses on the importance of cohesive zone model versus the previously conducted numerical simulation and experimental results for buckling of sandwich composite structures. This enables one to account for delamination growth between shells and core and improve the correlation results with those of experiments. It has been shown that not only the cohesive model is capable of demonstrating delamination propagation, but it also correlates very well with the experimental data. By compiling user-defined cohesive mesoscale model in Abaqus simulation, the local and global buckling of the face-sheets can be precisely detected and response of sandwich structure becomes mesh independent, while mesh size is reduced.

Performance Analysis of Reinforced Epoxy Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Composites for Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Blade

“…Mechanical properties of neat epoxy were improved significantly by embedding synthetic Kevlar fiber. Nevertheless, the weak chemical interaction between the organic matrix and synthetic fiber can lead to composite delamination [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Delamination process is initiated at the boundary of structural elements.…”

Analysis of Composite Structures in Curing Process for Shape Deformations and Shear Stress: Basis for Advanced Optimization

“…The same data were further used in the scatter diagram, as shown in Figure 13, to represent the results. [43][44][45][46][47]…”

“…Table 4 shows the values of all the simulation results based on all the input design variables. The same data were further used in the scatter diagram, as shown in Figure 13, to represent the results [43][44][45][46][47]. A graphical representation of all simulation results is shown in Figure 14.…”

Recent Industrial Developments of Marine Composites Limit States and Design Approaches on Strength

“…A recent work presented some interesting experimental vs. numerical benchmarks (Moheimani et al 2020) referring also Figure 2 Cohesive element description and definition of its properties Figure 3 Free edge delamination mechanism, as reported by Lorriot et al (2003) earlier studies about cohesive models and FEM modeling strategies. By using user-defined cohesive mesoscale models in simulation, the local and global buckling of the face-sheets of a sandwich laminate can be precisely detected and response of sandwich structure becomes mesh independent, while mesh size is reduced.…”