Progressive Failure Analysis of Laminated CFRP Composites under Three-Point Bending Load

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanical behavior and damage evolution of CFRP laminates under three-point bending loads were investigated. Based on the three-dimensional Hashin failure criterion and cohesive zone method, a progressive damage analysis model was constructed to predict seven different failure modes, and an improved stiffness matrix degradation law was proposed. Numerical simulations were performed using ABAQUS finite element software and UMAT user subroutines and verified by three-point bending tests. The experimental results show that the relative errors of the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the current model simulation results and the experimental data were −3.10% and −2.70%, respectively, and the damage evolution process after the ultimate load was accurately predicted. Meanwhile, the predicted final failure and damage modes were consistent with the micrographs of the failed specimens.