The Application of a Hybrid Damage Modeling and Simulation Methodology to Composite Laminate Ultimate Strength Predictions

A reliable hybrid modeling and simulation methodology is developed to predict the progressive damage evolution and ultimate strength in multidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite laminates. The integrated modeling approach combines continuum damage modeling (CDM), the extended finite element method (X-FEM), and the cohesive zone modeling (CZM) technique, to capture fiber breakage, polymer matrix major cracking, composite ply interlaminar delamination, and the interactions of these failure modes. The Schapery theory is incorporated into the finite element model to accurately simulate the pre-peak nonlinearity of the load-bearing response caused by matrix micro-cracking. Multidirectional composite laminates with open-hole tension (OHT), open-hole compression (OHC), filled-hole tension (FHT), and filled-hole compression (FHC) configurations are examined as case studies. It is demonstrated that this hybrid modeling framework and methodology can effectively and efficiently capture the complex composite damage progression and properly predict the residual strengths of damaged composite laminates.