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Abstract

Constitutive models simulating anisotropic non-linear elastic behavior followed by progressive damage and failure prediction of moderately thick Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) composite laminates were investigated in the present study. Stress analysis was performed using a Mindlin-Reissner shell formulation of a commercial code allowing for user-defined material constitutive equations. Progressive damage concepts based on inherent lamina non-linearity, numerous failure criteria, e.g. Puck, Chang, etc., and several property degradation strategies were implemented. In-plane mechanical properties of a glass/epoxy unidirectional composite, considered as the basic building block in the simulation, were thoroughly characterized in the frame of a comprehensive experimental program. Exhaustive model validation was performed by comparing numerical results with data from series of experimental tests on multidirectional laminates. Predicted damage pattern evolution along with macroscopic stress–strain behavior was found in very good agreement with strain gauge data and photos of failed test coupons.

Keywords

Non-linear behavior damage tolerance failure criterion finite element analysis FEA

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A progressive damage FEA model for glass/epoxy shell structures

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