Damage Mechanics Modeling and Analysis for a Hydrothermally Aged Composite

Abstract

The elastic modulus of a randomly oriented glass-fliber reinforced plastic (GFRP) after hydrothermal aging was estimated using the finite element method and a damage mechanics model. Fiber-matrix debonding of the hydrothermally aged GFRP was assumed as the internal damage, and then the damage mechanics was introduced to the finite element analysis. The damage angle around the fiber greatly affected the modulus reduction of the aged GFRP and was independent of the damage thickness. The internal damage of the aged GFRP was determined quantitatively by the weight loss due to water immersion, and the modulus of the aged GFRP was calculated by the finite element analysis introducing the damage parameter. The calculated results correspond well to the experimental results, and it was analytically shown that the modulus reduction of the aged GFRP was caused by fiber-matrix debonding.

Keywords

randomly oriented GFRP damage mechanics elastic modulus hydrothermal aging finite element analysis debonding

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