Multi-scale progressive failure simulation of 3D woven composites under uniaxial tension

This paper presents a multi-scale progressive failure modeling scheme to analyze the damage behaviors of 3D angle-interlock woven composites under uniaxial tension. The macro-scale progressive damage model is established based on a meso-scale representative volume cell (RVC) model by using the inhomogeneous finite element method. In current model, a modified Puck criterion for fiber yarn and parabolic yield criterion for the matrix are chosen to be the damage initiation and propagation criteria, which can clearly describe the fiber breakage, inter-fiber fracture and matrix crack in the level of the fiber yarn and the matrix. The tensile effective elastic properties and the failure strength as well as the damage evolution process of this 3D woven composite are predicted. A series of uniaxial tensile tests are conducted to validate the macro-scale progressive damage model. Experimental and numerical results are compared and discussed.