Numerical study of the effect of torsional fatigue loading on the energy absorption of composite tubes

Abstract

A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to predict the effect of torsional fatigue loading on the energy absorption of unidirectional carbon/epoxy (AS4/3501-6) composite tubes. Progressive fatigue damage model for fatigue loading and progressive failure model for axial velocity impact are implemented separately in the Abaqus software through user subroutine VUMAT. Each model is validated by the experimental data available in literature and good agreement is observed between the simulation results and experimental data. Then, these two models are sequentially applied to the composite tube with three different layups.The tube is first placed under torsional fatigue loading and a number of predefined loading cycles is applied. During this loading, the mechanical properties of the material are degraded based on sudden and gradual material properties degradation rules. Next, the fatigued tube is placed under axial impact loading. The resultsshow that by increasing the number of fatigue cycles, the tube's ability to absorb energy is first reduced uniformly but in a particular cycle, due to the sudden drop in the shear mechanical properties of the material, the amount of energy absorption drops sharply and the tube loses its ability to absorb energy before it's catastrophic fatigue failure. K E Y W O R D Scomposite tubes, energy absorption, impact, torsion fatigue

Progressive fatigue damage modeling of laminated composites using strain-based failure criteria

“…This model consists of stress analysis, failure analysis (using stress-based failure criteria), material property degradation rules, and life calculation as the main components. Their PFD model has been widely used [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] to evaluate the fatigue behavior of composite structures under different loading conditions.…”

“…Khan et al 22 coupled the PFD model with a cumulative damage accumulation approach to consider stress redistribution due to the stiffness degradation in composite laminates under cyclic loadings. By applying the PFD model, Khomejani‐Farahani et al 23 simulated the effect of torsional cyclic loading on the absorbed energy in composite tubes. Shokrieh and Rafiee 24 employed the PFD model to predict the life of a horizontal axis wind turbine composite blade by developing a 3D finite element model.…”