Multi-scale dynamic failure analysis of 3D laminated composites using BEM and MCZM

This paper presents a multi-scale approach to analyze failure in laminated composites. First, at the continuum mesoscale, the boundary element method (BEM) is used with the anisotropic 3D fundamental solution based on double Fourier series. The dynamic effects in the continuum media are included owing to the application of high-rate boundary conditions. These effects induced domain integrals in the BEM formulation which are treated via the dual reciprocity method (DRM). After the evaluation of the mechanical behavior, the multi-scale cohesive zone model (MCZM) is employed. The highly fluctuant deformation confined in the matrix at the atomistic scale is homogenized through the Cauchy-Born rule which allows coupling of the coarse and fine scales at the continuum. The constitutive force field at the atomistic scale is evaluated using a specific potential for epoxy materials, taking the advantage offered by the coarse grained model. Finally, failure is deemed to occur when the criterion fitted at the atomistic scale is reached at the mesoscale. Numerical results are presented showing the crack propagation paths for different configurations.