Progressive failure analysis of woven composites considering structural characteristics based on micro-mechanics

In this study, a three-dimensional progressive failure model was developed to predict the mechanical response of woven composites. For the formulation of progressive failure, a material property degradation model was designed, which was based on the three-dimensional Hashin failure criteria. Failure modes such as fiber breakage and matrix failure were considered. Woven composite models with different weave patterns and fiber volume fractions were created as the representative volume element (RVE). The cross sections of the RVE were modeled from scanning electron microscope observations. To prove the validity of the proposed model, the plain and twill-woven composite were fabricated by a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process with respect to fiber volume fraction. Mechanical tensile, compression, and shear tests were conducted and fractography was investigated. As a result, good correlation between the predicted properties from the progressive failure simulation and the experimental results, such as stress-strain curve and the failure modes, was achieved.