Size Effect in Transverse Compressive Strength of Composites Analyzed by the Fixed Crack Model
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147, Issue 10
Abstract
Presented in this study is a numerical analysis of the size effect in the transverse compressive strength of unidirectional (UD) composites by employing the fixed crack model. The model is calibrated and verified using available coupon level test data on transverse compression of a carbon-epoxy T700/MTM57 unidirectional composite. Then, it is used to predict the failure of geometrically scaled notched specimens of different sizes, each subjected to transverse compression. Two different notch orientations are considered. All specimens are predicted to fail in a geometrically similar fashion by an inclined shear crack starting from the notch tip. The predicted size effect in the nominal strength is fitted well by Bažant’s size effect law and is consistent with the estimated size of the fracture process zone. Thus, the results provide strong evidence for the applicability of quasi-brittle fracture mechanics in propagating transverse compressive failures in UD composites. Moreover, a strong anisotropy in the fracturing behavior, as well as the degree of quasi-brittleness, is demonstrated. Therefore, the findings emphasize the need for characterization of these effects via suitable experiments.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was partly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and was accomplished under Grant No. N00014-20-1-2594. Partial support was also provided by the startup package by the Mechanical Engineering Department at Stony Brook University. The authors gratefully acknowledge this support.
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 16, 2020
Accepted: May 3, 2021
Published online: Aug 6, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 6, 2022
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