Micromechanics-Based Analysis of Fiber-Reinforced Laminated Composites

Abstract

A procedure for three-dimensional nonlinear material modelling of fiber-reinforced laminated composites
\nis presented. The material modelling procedure has a two-level hierarchical structure. At the bottom level,
\nconstitutive information about the fiber and the matrix phases are synthesized using a micromechanical
\nmodel to yield the effective stress-strain response of a unidirectional lamina. At the top level, a three-dimensional lamination
\nscheme is employed which assembles the laminae within a sublaminate, and delivers
\nthe effective stress-strain response of the sublaminate. Local stresses and strains in a lamina or in fiber
\nand matrix phases can be recovered from the effective values at any stage. The material modelling procedure
\nenables the use of standard displacement-based finite elements. The matrix material is characterized
\nusing nonlinear-elastic Ramberg-Osgood relations. Micromechanical failure criteria are used for determining
\nvarious modes of failure, including compression kink-banding. The accuracy of the micromechanical
\nmodel is demonstrated by comparing its predictions with results from other micromechanical models and
\nexperimental data. Examples are also presented for laminated structures; the results are in good agreement
\nwith analytical and experimental results available in the literature.