Finite element modelling of mode I delamination specimens by means of implicit and explicit solvers

V. Mollón*, J. Bonhomme, A. M. Elmarakbi, A. Argüelles, J. Viña

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The simulation of delamination using the Finite Element Method (FEM) is a useful tool to analyse fracture mechanics. In this paper, simulations are performed by means of two different fracture mechanics models: Two Step Extension (TSEM) and Cohesive Zone (CZM) methods, using implicit and explicit solvers, respectively. TSEM is an efficient method to determine the energy release rate components G Ic, G IIc and G IIIc using the experimental critical load (P c) as input, while CZM is the most widely used method to predict crack propagation (P c) using the critical energy release rate as input. The two methods were compared in terms of convergence performance and accuracy to represent the material behaviour and in order to investigate their validity to predict mode I interlaminar fracture failure in unidirectional AS4/8552 carbon fibre composite laminates. The influence of increasing the loading speed and using mass scaling was studied in order to decrease computing time in CZ models. Finally, numerical simulations were compared with experimental results performed by means of Double Cantilever Beam specimens (DCB). Results showed a good agreement between both FEM models and experimental results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)404-410
Number of pages7
JournalPolymer Testing
Volume31
Issue number3
Early online date24 Dec 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2012

Keywords

  • Cohesive zone model
  • Delamination
  • Finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Fracture
  • Polymer-matrix composites
  • Two-step extension method

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