Numerical simulation of dynamic failure behavior for cylindrical carbon fiber reinforced polymer

This paper presents a prediction for the dynamic matrix-dominated failure behavior of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) under impact loading, by using hierarchical multi-scale analysis. In this study, the analysis results were compared to experimental results to verify the validity of the multi-scale model. In the experiment, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test was conducted by using two types of cylindrical CFRP specimens. The commercial finite element analysis (FEA) software Abaqus was used for the analysis. We conducted micro-scale and macro-scale analysis, which corresponded to the experiments. In the micro-scale analysis, a two-dimensional periodic unit-cell (PUC) model, which consisted of 20 fibers, resin, and zero-thickness interface is used. The micromechanical model could simulate the matrix failure and debonding of the fiber/matrix interface by the Christensen failure criterion and cohesive zone modeling, respectively. Additionally, the strain rate dependency failure of matrix was considered. The PUC analysis was conducted under a multi-axial stress state, to obtain the failure envelope. Subsequently, a macro-analysis by FE was conducted with parameters obtained from the micromechanics analysis. The simulation was found to be in good agreement with experimental results. Finally, we investigated the relationship between interfacial strength and the failure load of CFRP.