Progressive failure prediction of short fiber reinforced composites using a multi-scale approach

A hybrid multi-scale approach combining a virtual mesoscale volume element (representative volume element) and a microscale finite element representative unit cell is developed, for progressive failure prediction of short fiber reinforced composites. The representative volume element represents the fiber orientation and distribution of the whole composites, from which the global mechanical behavior can be estimated. The representative unit cell captures the local mechanical response of each short fiber by transforming global strains to local strains. The constituent strains of the fiber, matrix, and interface are calculated from local strains using representative unit cell. Correlations between mesoscale local strains and microscale constituent strains are established using strain amplification factors. After computing microscale stresses, a progressive damage model is employed to determine the damage status of all constituents. A homogenization method is employed to eliminate damage localization in the matrix and interface. The predicted stress–strain curves are compared with experimental results, and good agreement is also achieved.