Paper number 570

SIMULATION OF A FIBER PUSHOUT TEST IN A MODEL POLYESTER/EPOXY COMPOSITE

Philippe H. Geubelle1,2 Guoyu Lin2 and Nancy R. Sottos3

1Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois
2Center for the Simulation of Advanced Rockets, University of Illinois
3Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois
Talbot Laboratories; 104 South Wright Street; Urbana, IL 61801; USA

Summary We present a detailed simulation of the fiber pushout process observed in a model composite system. The finite element scheme used in the analysis combines conventional "volumetric" elements to represent the mechanical response of the fiber and the surrounding matrix, and cohesive elements introduced along the fiber/matrix interface and used to capture the spontaneous frictional debonding process. An augmented Lagrangian scheme is used to capture the frictional contact taking place behind the spontaneously propagating crack tip between the newly created crack faces. Comparison between numerical and experimental results obtained for a polyester fiber/epoxy matrix composite system shows excellent agreement. We then present a parametric study of the effects on the energetics and stability of the failure process of quantities such as the frictional interface strength and the fiber/matrix stiffness mismatch.
Keywords fiber pushout and pullout, cohesive fracture, frictional debonding, cohesive finite element, interface.

Theme : Interface and Interphase ; Mechanical Properties

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