Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modelling Strategies for Simulating Delamination and Matrix Cracking in Composite Laminates

  • Published:
Applied Composite Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The composite materials are nowadays widely used in aeronautical domain. These materials are subjected to different types of loading that can damage a part of the structure. This diminishes the resistance of the structure to failure. In this paper, matrix cracking and delamination propagation in composite laminates are simulated as a part of damage. Two different computational strategies are developed: (i) a cohesive model (CM) based on the classical continuum mechanics and (ii) a continuous damage material model (CDM) coupling failure modes and damage. Another mixed methodology (MM) is proposed using the continuous damage model for delamination initiation and the cohesive model for 3D crack propagation and mesh openings. A good agreement was obtained when compared simple characterization tests and corresponding simulations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gaudin, J., Mahé, M., Grihon, S., Le-Roux, O.: Design optimization of composite Structures—AIRBUS Challenges in MAAXIMUS. Workshop Giens 2009, 6 pp (2009)

  2. Delsart, D., Joly, D., Mahé, M., Winkelmuller, G.: Evaluation of finite element modeling methodologies for the design of crashworthy composite commercial aircraft fuselage. 24th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan, (2004)

  3. Fualdes, C., Morteau, E.: Composites @ Airbus Damage tolerance Methodology. FFA Workshop for the damage tolerance and maintenance. Composite Damage Tolerance & Maintenance Workshop, July 19–21, Chicago, IL, (2006). http://www.niar.wichita.edu/niarworkshops/Workshops/CompositeMaintenanceWorkshopJuly2006Chicago/tabid/99/Default.aspx. Accessed 10 Jan 2012

  4. Windisch, M., Sun, D.-Z., Memhard, D., Siegele, D.: Defect tolerance assessment of Ariane 5 structures on the basis of damage mechanics material modelling. Eng. Fract. Mech. 76, 59–73 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bertolini, J., Castanié, B., Barrau, J.J., Navarro, J.P.: Multi-level analysis of skin/stringer debonding. ICCM17, Edimburgh, 27–31 July, United Kingdom, (2009)

  6. Kashtalyan, M., Soutis, C.: Analysis of composite laminates with inter- and interlaminar damage. Prog. Aerosp. Sci. 41, 152–173 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Puck, A., Schurmann, H.: Failure analysis of FRP laminates by means of physically based phenomenological models. Compos. Sci. Technol. 58, 1045–1067 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pollayi, H., Yu, W.: Modeling matrix cracking in composite rotor blades within VABS framework. Compos. Struct. 100, 62–76 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rebiere, J.L., Gamby, D.: A criterion for modeling initiation and propagation of matrix cracking and delamination in cross-ply laminates. Compos. Sci. Technol. 64, 2239–2250 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Pavia, F., Letertre, A., Curtin, W.A.: Prediction of first matrix cracking in micro/nanohybrid brittle matrix composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 70, 916–921 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Van der Meer, F.P., Sluys, L.J.: Mesh-independent modeling of both distributed and discrete matrix cracking in interaction with delamination in composites. Eng. Fract. Mech. 77, 719–735 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Maimi, P., Camanho, P.P., Mayugo, J.A., Turon, A.: Matrix cracking and delamination in laminated composites. Part II: Evolution of crack density and delamination. Mech. Mater. 43, 194–211 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Shi, Y., Pinna, C., Soutis, C.: Interface cohesive elements to model matrix crack evolution in composite laminates. Appl. Compos. Mater. 21, 57–70 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Alvarez, D., Blackman, B.R.K., Guild, F.J., Kinloch, A.J.: Mode I fracture in adhesively-bonded joints: A mesh-size independent modeling approach using cohesive elements. Eng. Fract. Mech. 115, 73–95 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Borg, R., Nilsson, L., Simonsson, K.: Simulating DCB, ENF and MMB experiments using shell elements and a cohesive zone model. Compos. Sci. Technol. 64, 269–278 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Abrate, S.: Impact on Composite Structures. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1998)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  17. Richardson, M.O.W., Wisheart, M.J.Y.: Review of low-velocity impact properties of composite materials. Compos. Part A 27A, 1123–1131 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lemaitre, J., Chaboche, J.-L.: Mécanique des Matériaux Solides. Dunod, Paris (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Liu, G.R., Liu, M.B.: Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics—A Meshfree Particle Method. World Scientific Publishing Co, Singapore (2003)

  20. Shi, Y., Soutis, C.: A finite element analysis of impact damage in composite laminates. RAeS Aeronaut. J. 116(1186), 1331–1346 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Shi, Y., Swait, T., Soutis, C.: Modelling damage evolution in composite laminates subjected to low velocity impact. Compos. Struct. 94(9), 2902–2913 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. De Florio, F.: Airworthiness an Introduction to Aircraft Certification. Butterworth-Heinemann Ed., 1st Edition, Oxford (2006)

  23. Farahmand, B. (ed.): Virtual Testing and Predictive Modeling for Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics Allowables. Bahram Farahmand Editor, Springer, ISBN 978-0-387-95923-8 3, pp 459 (2009)

  24. ASME: Damage Tolerance in Aricraft Structures. STP 486, ISBN O-8031-0072-8 (1971).

  25. Reedy Jr., E.D., Mello, F.J., Guess, T.R.: Modeling the initiation and growth of delaminations in composite structures. J. Compos. Mater. 31(8), 812–831 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Reifsnider, K.L., Case, S.W.: Damage Tolerance & Durability in Material Systems. Wiley-Intersciences, ISBN-10 0471152994 (2002)

  27. Pinho, S.T., Iannucci, L., Robinson, P.: Formulation and implementation of decohesion elements in an explicit finite element code. Compos. Part A 37, 778–789 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Alfano, G., Crisfield, M.: Finite element interface models for the delamination analysis of laminated composites: Mechanical and computational issues. Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 77(2), 111–170 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mi, Y., Crisfield, M., Davies, G., Hellweg, H.: Progressive delamination using interface elements. J. Compos. Mater. 32, 1246–1272 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Cazes, F., Simatos, A., Coret, M., Combescure, A.: A cohesive zone model which is energetically equivalent to a gradient-enhanced coupled damage-plasticity model. Eur. J. Mech. A Solids 29, 976–989 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Ilyas, M., Limido, J., Lachaud, F., Espinosa, C., Salaun, M.: Modélisation SPH 3D de l’impact basse vitesse sur plaque composite. 19ème Congrès Français de Mécanique, Marseille. France, (2009)

  32. Turon, A., Camanho, P.P., Costa, J., Renart, J.: Accurate simulation of delamination growth under mixed-mode loading using cohesive elements: Definition of interlaminar strengths and elastic stiffness. Compos. Struct. 92, 1857–1864 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Lachaud, F.: Contribution à L’analyse Multi Échelle du Comportement Non Linéaire Matériau des Structures Composites. Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, Université de Toulouse, France (2011). http://oatao.univ-toulouse.fr/5165/

    Google Scholar 

  34. Prombut, P., Michel, L., Lachaud, F., Barrau, J.J.: Delamination of multidirectional composite laminates at 0°/θ° ply interfaces. Eng. Fract. Mech. 73(16), 11 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ilyas, M.: Damage modelling of carbon epoxy laminated composites submitted to impact laoding. PhD thesis, Université de Toulouse, ISAE, France, (2010)

  36. Allix, O., Blanchard, L.: Mesomodeling of delamination: Towards industrial applications. Compos. Sci. Technol. 66, 731–744 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Lachaud, F.: Prévision de L’endommagement de Composites Stratifiés Carbone-Epoxy Sous Chargement de Type Impact. 17ème Journée Nationales sur les Composites, Poitiers, 15–17 Juin. France, (2011)

  38. Allix, O., Ladevèze, P., Corigliano, A.: Damage analysis of interlaminar fracture specimens. Compos. Struct. 31, 61–74 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Benzeggagh, M.L., Kenane, M.: Measurement of mixed-mode delamination fracture toughness of unidirectional glass/epoxy composites with mixed-mode bending apparatus. Compos. Sci. Technol. 56, 439–449 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Hamitouche, L., Trafaoui M., Vautrin A.: Modélisation du délaminage par la méthode de la zone cohésive et problèmes d’instabilité, 16ème Journées Nationales sur les Composites, (2009)

  41. Matzenmiller, A., Lubliner, R.L., Taylor, A.: A constitutive model for anisotropic damage in fiber composites. Mech. Mater. 20, 125–152 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Lubineau, G., Ladeveze, P.: Construction of a micromechanics-based intralaminar mesomodel, and illustrations in ABAQUS/Standard. Comput. Mater. Sci. 43, 137–145 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Bouvet, C.: Etude de l’endommagement dans les structures composites. Mémoire d’Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches (2009)

  44. Collombet, F., Lalbin, X., Lataillade, J.L.: Impact behavior of laminated composites: Physical basis for finite element analysis. Compos. Sci. Technol. 58, 463–478 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for partial funding. Special thanks are also extended to IMPETUS Afea France as well as to all students and technical staff of ISAE for their valuable input towards numerical and experimental aspects, respectively.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ISAE ICA (Institut Clément Ader), Université de Toulouse, ISAE/DMSM, 10, Avenue Edouard Belin, BP54032, 31055, Toulouse Cedex 4, France

    Frederic Lachaud, Christine Espinosa, Laurent Michel & Robert Piquet

  2. Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Notre Dame University, P.O. Box : 72, Zouk Mikael, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon

    Pierre Rahme

Authors
  1. Frederic Lachaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christine Espinosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laurent Michel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pierre Rahme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Robert Piquet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederic Lachaud.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lachaud, F., Espinosa, C., Michel, L. et al. Modelling Strategies for Simulating Delamination and Matrix Cracking in Composite Laminates. Appl Compos Mater 22, 377–403 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-014-9413-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-014-9413-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation