A frictional cohesive zone model for characterizing transverse compression responses of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites

The Coulomb friction law is incorporated into the traction separation law, so a friction cohesive zone model (FCZM) combining sliding friction, interfacial debonding, and the coupling of the debonding and friction is developed. The proposed interface model is used to describe the interfacial mechanical responses of fiber/resin composite. To verify this model, the finite element model of microdroplet is built, then the calculated results of the finite element model are compared with the microdroplet test. To analyze the effect of interface friction on the macroscopic strength and stiffness of unidirectional composites, the FCZM is applied to representative volume element (RVE), and the mechanical behaviors of composites is simulated by finite element analysis of RVE, then the results are compared with the test in reference [1, 2]. It is found that the interfacial debonding is accelerated and the macroscopic strength is reduced due to the friction.

Automated summary

In this study, a cohesive zone model considering the effect of friction is proposed to describe the interfacial mechanical responses of fiber/resin composites. The impact of interface friction on the mechanical behaviors of composites is investigated through the development of microdroplet finite element model and representative volume element model.