Energetically-consistent multiscale analysis of fracture in composites materials

Two distinct length scale transition methodologies are developed to establish effective traction-separation relations for fracture in composite materials within a hierarchical multiscale framework. The two methodologies, one kinetics-based and the other kinematics-based, specify effective fracture properties that satisfy a surface-based Hill...

Multiscale modeling of the effect of sub-ply voids on the failure of composite materials

A multiscale fracture model is developed to study the influence of defects appearing at a microscale in a fiber-reinforced composite laminate. The model establishes a link between the geometrical characteristics of sub-ply imperfections that may be created during manufacturing and the overall fracture strength and fracture energy of the...

Multiscale analysis of mixed-mode fracture and effective traction-separation relations for composite materials

A multiscale framework for the analysis of fracture is developed in order to determine the effective (homogenized) strength and fracture energy of a composite material based on the constituent's material properties and microstructural arrangement. The method is able to deal with general (mixed-mode) applied strains without a priori knowledge...