A computational approach for prediction of the damage evolution and crushing behavior of chopped random fiber composites

Abstract

A computational model is developed, by implementing the damage models previously proposed by authors into a finite element code, for simulating the damage evolution and crushing behavior of chopped random fiber composites. Material damages induced by fiber debonding and crack nucleation and growth are considered. Systematic computational algorithms are developed to combine the damage models into the constitutive relation. Based on the implemented computational model, a range of simulations are carried out to probe the behavior of the composites and to validate the proposed methodology. Numerical examples show that the present computational model is capable of modeling progressive deterioration of effective stiffness and softening behavior after the peak load. Crushing behavior of composite tube is also simulated, which shows the applicability of the proposed computational model for crash-worthiness simulations. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.