DAMAGE MODELING AND TOUGHNESS DESIGN FOR FIBER COMPOSITES

The methodology of fracture mechanics based on continuous crack growth was applied to the investigation of the microscopic damage evolution and toughness calculation for fiber composites. The multi mode failure processes were simulated by means of the finite element technique. The fracture energy and loading phase of the interface were taken as the essential microstructural parameters and the toughening mechanisms were discussed. A toughness design principle of fiber composites was developed.