Progressive failure analysis of three-dimensional woven carbon composites in single-bolt, double-shear bearing

A three-dimensional progressive damage model has been developed to capture the onset and initial propagation of damage within a three-dimensional woven composite in a single-bolt, double-shear joint. Reinforced with a three-dimensional woven ply to ply interlock IM7 carbon fiber preform impregnated with toughened epoxy resin and manufactured using a resin transfer molding process, the composite represents a unique material currently used in select aerospace structures. The modeled joint is commonly found in many aerospace structures and, when combined with the progressive damage response of this three-dimensional woven composite, the material response can be reliably predicted with a three-dimensional non-linear finite element model. This model is constructed using an orthotropic material assumption far from the bearing area and a voxelized mesoscale model with an as-molded geometry representing matrix and impregnated tow phases. The well-established Hashin failure criteria and the Matzenmiller-Lubliner-Taylor damage model were implemented with the unique morphology of three-dimensional woven composites. The onset of damage and trends seen in the model were found to be in agreement with previous experimental findings. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.