Effect of fiber clustering on debond growth energy release rate in UD composites with hexagonal packing

Steady-state energy release rate (ERR) for fiber/matrix interface debond growth originated from fiber break in unidirectional composite is calculated using 3-D FEM models with hexagonal fiber arrangement. In the model the debonded fiber is central in the hexagonal unit which is surrounded by effective composite. The effect of neighboring fibers focusing on local fiber clustering on the ERR is analyzed by varying the distance between fibers in the unit. The steady-state ERR is calculated from potential energy difference between a unit in the bonded region far ahead of the debond front and a unit in the debonded region far behind the debond front. The ERR for different modes of crack propagation is obtained from a FEM model containing a long debond by analyzing the stress at the debond front.Results show that in mechanical axial tensile loading fracture Mode II is dominating, it has strong angular dependence (effect of closest fibers) but the average ERR is not sensitive to the local fiber clustering. In thermal loading the Mode III is dominating and the average ERR is highly dependent on the distance to neighboring fibers. However, for realistic loads the thermal ERR is much smaller than the mechanical.