Constitutive modeling of fiber composites with a soft hyperelastic matrix

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2011.11.006
• Publication Date: 2011-11-20T16:30:55Z
• Authors: Francisco López J...; Sergio Pellegrino
• Keywords: Mechanical Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Random microstructure; Hyperelastic matrix; 02 engineering and technology; Condensed Matter Physics; 620; Materials Science(all); 0203 mechanical engineering; Mechanics of Materials; Modelling and Simulation; Fiber composites; Strain softening

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental and numerical study of unidirectional carbon fiber composites with a silicone matrix, loaded transversally to the fibers. The experiments show nonlinear behavior with significant strain softening under cyclic loading. The numerical study uses a plane-strain finite element continuum model of the composite material in which the fiber distribution is based on experimental observations and cohesive elements allow debonding to take place at the fiber/matrix interfaces. It is found that accurate estimates of the initial tangent stiffness measured in the experiments can be obtained without allowing for debonding, but this feature has to be included to capture the non-linear and strain-softening behavior.