Mechanical behavior and failure of glass/carbon fiber hybrid composites: Multiscale computational predictions validated by experiments

A comprehensive, novel and computationally low cost multiscale model based on finite element analysis is proposed which includes repeating unit cell micromechanics, material nonlinearity, and progressive damage analysis to predict the mechanical behavior and failure of glass/carbon fiber hybrid composites subjected to various loading conditions. The computational micromechanics is used to predict the homogenized properties of the composite from the mechanical properties of its constituents (fiber, and matrix), together with the volume fraction and spatial distribution of the fibers within it. Hashin's failure criteria at the meso-scale is implemented to determine failure of lamina while nonlinearity of epoxy matrix is introduced to model through J2 deformation theory of plasticity. It is shown that the introduced multiscale model can be used for 3D macroscale structural analysis through a user defined material (UMAT) subroutine developed at the finite-element software ABAQUS/Implicit. The results of 3-point bending and tensile tests accompanied by acoustic emission, and in-plane shear tests with digital image correlation analysis, are used to validate the proposed multiscale model. It is shown that damage progress and strain distribution under various loading conditions can be predicted successfully, thus a reasonable correlation between the model and collected experimental data is achieved.

Automated summary

A novel multiscale model based on finite element analysis has been proposed for predicting the mechanical behavior and failure of glass/carbon fiber hybrid composites under various loading conditions. The model includes micromechanics, material nonlinearity, and progressive damage analysis. The results show successful prediction of damage progress and strain distribution, achieving a reasonable correlation with experimental data.