Exploring thermography technique to validate multiscale procedure for notched CFRP plates

Stress concentrations induced by notches is an engineering problem, presented in most real structural failures. Due to the importance of this topic and considering the large amount of variables related to composite design, a novel multiscale procedure is proposed to evaluate damage onset and propagation in notched composite plates, minimizing the amount of experimental test required. The micromechanical modeling combines Tsai's modulus with VSPK model, while the macromechanical modeling uses the finite element method and the Puck failure criterion. Experimentally, tensile tests of notched plates are carried out monitored by thermographic camera. The thermography technique is a fundamental part of the proposed methodology, due to its capability to capture damage onset related to significative heating events. Just 3 experimental tests are necessary: 1 unnotched specimen for tensile test and 2 notched specimens monitored with thermography. 3 constituents’ properties from supplier datasheet are necessary to obtain others 15 properties: 8 lamina properties, 2 matrix properties and 5 fiber properties. Comparing the experimental results with the numerical-analytical methodology, a mean square error of 1.42% is obtained.