Effect of interfacial debonding on the failure behavior in a fiber-reinforced composite subjected to transverse tension

By using computational micromechanics, macroscopic stress-strain curves for a glass/epoxy lamina subjected to transverse tension were determined in this paper. To compute stress for given strain, a finite element model of a three-phased unit cell with the hexagonal symmetry was employed. Mixed mode debonding conditions between reinforcement and matrix were modeled by a bilinear cohesive law. A stress transfer between matrix and fiber was simulated by a inhomogeneous interphase. A detailed analysis of a debonding growth was also presented. Parametrical studies showed that a choice of values for cohesive parameters as well as debonding locations do have an influence on the macroscopic response of material. An ability of the proposed model to simulate the softening behavior of the material under transverse tension and to predict final failure was demonstrated. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.