Abstract
Due to the increase in prevalence of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMC) in aircraft structures, the need for adaption of failure prediction tools such as fatigue spectra has become more pertinent. Fracture toughness is an important measure with regard to fatigue, while adequate techniques and an ASTM standard for unidirectional FRPMC exist, there are mixed opinions when investigating woven FRPMC. This study describes a three-dimensional finite element model developed to assist in determining the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIc) of fibre-reinforced woven composites, validated by an experimental and numerical comparison of GIIc determination for unidirectional FRPMC. Experimental testing mirroring the ASTM D7905 resulted in a measure of 1176 J m−2 for the unidirectional specimen, while comparisons made with the literature achieved an average value of 1459.24 J m−2 or the woven specimen. Three numerical methods were employed due to their prominence in the literature: displacement field, virtual crack closure techniques and the J integral. Both the J integral and the displacement field three-dimensional models produced satisfactory unidirectional GIIc estimates of 1284 and 1116.8 J m−2, respectively. Displacement field had a 5% uncertainty in GIIc when compared with experimental results, while J integral had an approximately 8.5% uncertainty. Extending the analysis to the woven specimens, values of 1302.8 and 1465.3 J m−2 were obtained from J integral and displacement field methods, respectively, both within 10% of the experimental values. Hence, numerically determined unidirectional GIIc values were verified with experimental results, leading to the successful employment and extension to woven composites which displayed similar agreement.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 557–566 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Polymers and Polymer Composites |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2019 |
Keywords
- composites
- delamination
- Durability
- fatigue
- three-point bending
Cite this
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Experimental and numerical determination of mode II fracture toughness of woven composites verified through unidirectional composite test data. / Healey, Rowan; Chowdhury, Nabil M.; Chiu, Wing Kong; Wang, John.
In: Polymers and Polymer Composites, Vol. 27, No. 9, 11.2019, p. 557–566.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Experimental and numerical determination of mode II fracture toughness of woven composites verified through unidirectional composite test data
AU - Healey, Rowan
AU - Chowdhury, Nabil M.
AU - Chiu, Wing Kong
AU - Wang, John
PY - 2019/11
Y1 - 2019/11
N2 - Due to the increase in prevalence of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMC) in aircraft structures, the need for adaption of failure prediction tools such as fatigue spectra has become more pertinent. Fracture toughness is an important measure with regard to fatigue, while adequate techniques and an ASTM standard for unidirectional FRPMC exist, there are mixed opinions when investigating woven FRPMC. This study describes a three-dimensional finite element model developed to assist in determining the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIc) of fibre-reinforced woven composites, validated by an experimental and numerical comparison of GIIc determination for unidirectional FRPMC. Experimental testing mirroring the ASTM D7905 resulted in a measure of 1176 J m−2 for the unidirectional specimen, while comparisons made with the literature achieved an average value of 1459.24 J m−2 or the woven specimen. Three numerical methods were employed due to their prominence in the literature: displacement field, virtual crack closure techniques and the J integral. Both the J integral and the displacement field three-dimensional models produced satisfactory unidirectional GIIc estimates of 1284 and 1116.8 J m−2, respectively. Displacement field had a 5% uncertainty in GIIc when compared with experimental results, while J integral had an approximately 8.5% uncertainty. Extending the analysis to the woven specimens, values of 1302.8 and 1465.3 J m−2 were obtained from J integral and displacement field methods, respectively, both within 10% of the experimental values. Hence, numerically determined unidirectional GIIc values were verified with experimental results, leading to the successful employment and extension to woven composites which displayed similar agreement.
AB - Due to the increase in prevalence of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMC) in aircraft structures, the need for adaption of failure prediction tools such as fatigue spectra has become more pertinent. Fracture toughness is an important measure with regard to fatigue, while adequate techniques and an ASTM standard for unidirectional FRPMC exist, there are mixed opinions when investigating woven FRPMC. This study describes a three-dimensional finite element model developed to assist in determining the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIc) of fibre-reinforced woven composites, validated by an experimental and numerical comparison of GIIc determination for unidirectional FRPMC. Experimental testing mirroring the ASTM D7905 resulted in a measure of 1176 J m−2 for the unidirectional specimen, while comparisons made with the literature achieved an average value of 1459.24 J m−2 or the woven specimen. Three numerical methods were employed due to their prominence in the literature: displacement field, virtual crack closure techniques and the J integral. Both the J integral and the displacement field three-dimensional models produced satisfactory unidirectional GIIc estimates of 1284 and 1116.8 J m−2, respectively. Displacement field had a 5% uncertainty in GIIc when compared with experimental results, while J integral had an approximately 8.5% uncertainty. Extending the analysis to the woven specimens, values of 1302.8 and 1465.3 J m−2 were obtained from J integral and displacement field methods, respectively, both within 10% of the experimental values. Hence, numerically determined unidirectional GIIc values were verified with experimental results, leading to the successful employment and extension to woven composites which displayed similar agreement.
KW - composites
KW - delamination
KW - Durability
KW - fatigue
KW - three-point bending
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85067855729&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0967391119853736
DO - 10.1177/0967391119853736
M3 - Article
VL - 27
SP - 557
EP - 566
JO - Polymers and Polymer Composites
JF - Polymers and Polymer Composites
SN - 0967-3911
IS - 9
ER -