A mesoscale fatigue progressive damage model for 3D woven composites

A mesoscale fatigue progressive damage model (FPDM) is proposed for fatigue life prediction and failure behavior assessment of 3D woven composites (3DWC). The Hashin's fatigue criteria and the maximum tensile/ shear stress criteria are used as damage activation criteria for the yarn and resin-rich matrix, respectively. A fatigue damage evolution model is developed based on Fang's static-load damage evolution model, where the damage irreversibility and compressive crack closure effect are considered. The UserMat subroutine and APDL language in ANSYS are employed to implement the fatigue process of 3DWC. The results show that all predicted fatigue lives are within two-fold error band.

Automated summary

A mesoscale fatigue progressive damage model is proposed for fatigue life prediction and failure behavior assessment of 3D woven composites, incorporating Hashin's fatigue criteria and maximum tensile/shear stress criteria. A fatigue damage evolution model based on Fang's static-load damage evolution model is developed, considering damage irreversibility and compressive crack closure effect. The results show that all predicted fatigue lives fall within a two-fold error band.