Failure analysis of composite laminates under transverse shear load via XFEM

Extended finite element method (XFEM) is introduced in this study, and the normal direction of fracture surface under different failure modes is determined, which provides a new and efficient technology for failure prediction of composite laminates. According to the failure criterion, a user-defined FORTRAN subroutine (UDMGINI) has been written for Abaqus/Standard solver to model the damage initiation and crack propagation of G(23) out-of-plane shear test. By comparing the load-displacement curve, strain field and failure mode of experiment, FEM and XFEM, XFEM can effectively predict the crack initiation and propagation. Meanwhile, the crack path of matrix failure simulated by XFEM is smooth without bifurcation, which is more consistent with experimental result. Moreover, by comparing damage factors of specimen before damage initiation in G(23) test, it is found that the matrix tensile failure occurs more easily than matrix compressive failure at the root of V-notch, where cracks are the first to initiate.

Automated summary

In this study, the XFEM method is used to predict failure in composite laminates by determining the normal direction of fracture surfaces under different failure modes. A user-defined FORTRAN subroutine is implemented for Abaqus/Standard solver to model damage initiation and crack propagation, showing that XFEM can effectively predict crack initiation and propagation with smoother matrix failure paths.