Constitutive model and failure criterion for orthotropic ceramic matrix composites under macroscopic plane stress

To predict the nonlinear stress‐strain behavior and the rupture strength of orthotropic ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) under macroscopic plane stress, a concise damage‐based mechanical theory including a new constitutive model and two kinds of failure criteria was developed in the framework of continuum damage mechanics (CDM). The damage constitutive model was established using strain partitioning and damage decoupling methods. Meanwhile, the failure criteria were formulated in terms of damage energy release rate (DERR) in order to correlate the failure property of CMCs with damage driving forces, and the maximum DERR criterion and the interactive DERR criterion were suggested simultaneously. For the sake of model evaluation, the theory was applied to a typical CMC with damageable and nonlinear behavior, that is, 2D‐C/SiC. The damage evolution law, strain response and rupture strength under incremental cyclic tension along both on‐axis and off‐axis directions were completely investigated. Comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental data illustrates that the newly developed mechanical theory is potential to give reasonable and accurate results of both stress‐strain response and failure property for orthotropic CMCs.