Benchmarking of strength models for unidirectional composites under longitudinal tension

Abstract

Several modelling approaches are available in the literature to predict longitudinal tensile failure of fibre–reinforced polymers. However, a systematic, blind and unbiased comparison between the predictions from the different models and against experimental data has never been performed. This paper presents a benchmarking exercise performed for three different models from the literature: (i) an analytical hierarchical scaling law for composite fibre bundles, (ii) direct numerical simulations of composite fibre bundles, and (iii) a multiscale finite–element simulation method. The results show that there are significant discrepancies between the predictions of the different modelling approaches for fibre–break density evolution, cluster formation and ultimate strength, and that each of the three models presents unique advantages over the others. Blind model predictions are also compared against detailed computed–tomography experiments, showing that our understanding of the micromechanics of longitudinal tensile failure of composites needs to be developed further.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Mark Spearing: orcid.org/0000-0002-3059-2014

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