A state-based peridynamic model for quantitative elastic and fracture analysis of orthotropic materials

A new state-based peridynamic model is proposed for quantitative elastic and fracture analysis of the orthotropic materials. In this model, four independent material parameters of two-dimensional (2D) orthotropic materials in the conventional composite mechanics model are transformed into the same number of peridynamic constants that lead to no constraints on material properties, and three types of critical stretches are uniquely defined for quantitative fracture analysis of orthotropic materials. Quantitative simulations of an orthotropic lamina under stress load and the compact tension (CT) and single edge-notched tension (SENT) tests are performed to verify the respective elastic and fracture behaviors of orthotropic materials by the proposed model. The strain of lamina and the typical fracture parameters (i.e., compliance, critical load, and released energy density) are calculated and compared with available analytical and experimental data. The present peridynamic model is capable of capturing fracture characteristics (i.e., crack path, energy concentration, displacement-load relationship, and energy balance during crack propagation) of orthotropic materials, as demonstrated in both the CT and SENT tests.