Revisiting the Problem of Debond Initiation at Fibre-Matrix Interface under Transversal Biaxial Loads - A Comparison of Several Non-Classical Fracture Mechanics Approaches

Understanding matrix failure in LFRP composites is one of the main challenges when developing failure criteria for these materials. This work aims to study the influence of the secondary transverse load on the crack initiation at micro-scale. Four non-classical approaches of fracture mechanics are used to model the onset of fibre-matrix interface debonds: Linear Elastic Brittle Interface Model (LEBIM), an Energetic Approach for the Linear Elastic Brittle Interface Model (EA-LEBIM), an Energetic Approach for the bilinear Cohesive Zone Model (EA-CZM) and the Coupled Criterion of the Finite Fracture Mechanics (CC-FFM). Results obtained by these approaches predict that, for brittle fibre-matrix configurations, a secondary transverse compression reduces the critical value of the main transverse tension leading to the debond onset. This fact is not taken into account by the currently used failure criteria