A continuum damage model for fatigue life prediction of 2.5D woven composites

Abstract

A new model based on continuum damage mechanics is proposed to predict the fatigue life of 2.5D woven composites. First, a full-cell model reflecting the real microstructure of 2.5D woven composites is established in ANSYS. Subsequently, three independent damage variables are defined in the framework of the composite micromechanics to establish the component constitutive relations associated with damage. The strain energy density release rate and damage evolution equations for the matrix, fiber in yarns, and matrix in yarns are derived. Finally, the proposed model is implemented for fatigue life prediction and damage evolution analysis of 2.5D woven composites at 20 and 180°C. The results show that the numerical results are in good agreement with the relevant experimental results.

Keywords

• continuum damage mechanics
• 2.5d woven composites
• composite micromechanics
• fatigue life prediction
• damage evolution analysis