IGFEM modeling of transverse failure in carbon-epoxy composites and implementation of the IGFEM in Abaqus FEA

A comprehensive analysis of the Interface-Enriched General Finite Element Method (IGFEM) using a modified trilinear cohesive law was performed to validate the model against experimental results showing good agreement in both initial composite stiffness and against strain measurements of the onset of transverse cracking performed on a [0/90/0] carbon/glass-epoxy laminate. Furthermore, a large dataset of realistic virtual microstructures is created from optical images of test specimens and was simulated to study the effects of microstrucutural geometric characteristics on the onset of initial cracking. Finally, a linear IGFEM formulation was implemented in the commercial finite element analysis package Abaqus through the use of common linear four-node tetrahedral elements and the User Element Library API. This implementation was verified against analytical and conforming mesh solutions.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Klepacki, Anthony

Contributors dc:contributor

• Geubelle, Philippe H.

• Polymer-matrix composites, Transverse cracking, Computational mechanics, Analytical sensitivity, Carbon fiber

Statement dc:rights

• 2019 by Anthony Klepacki. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/104902

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/104902