Progressive failure analysis of needle-punched C/SiC composites based on multiscale finite element model

Needle-punched C/SiC composites have multiscale characteristics, and their damage evolution process is complex, and the cost of using experiments to analyze their mechanical response and failure mechanism is too high. In this paper, a multiscale model is established by combining the finite element method, and the progressive failure analysis of needle-punched C/SiC composites is carried out. The model is established by selecting Representative Volume Elements (RVE), and the analysis is completed using the sequential multiscale method, that is, the mechanical properties of Mico-RVE are transmitted upward to Meso-RVE, and the load of Macro-Sample is transferred downward to Meso-RVE. First, the microscopic failure modes under different loads were analyzed using Micro-RVE, and then Meso-RVE was used combined with the damage evolution model (implemented using the subprogram UMAT) to calculate the stress-strain relationship and macroscopic failure mode. Secondly, the experimental results of the published literature are predicted, and the multiscale model well explains the characteristic points and drop points of the stress-strain curve of Macro-Sample. Finally, the strength reduction of the composite under tensile-torsional coupling load is analyzed. This study effectively revealed the damage evolution process, the relationship between macroscopic load and microscopic failure, and the tensile-torsional coupling failure mechanism of needle-punched C/SiC composites.