Chapter 2:Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure in Fiber-Reinforced Composites Zhenhai Xia'and W.A.Curtin2 'Department of Mechanical Engineering,The University of Akron,Akron, OH 44325,USA PDivision of Engineering,Brown University,Providence,RI 02912,USA 2.1 Multiscale Damage and Failure of Fiber-Reinforced Composites Fiber-reinforced composites can be engineered to exhibit high strength high stiffness,and high toughness,and are,thus,attractive alternatives to monolithic polymer,metals,and ceramics in structural applications.To engineer the material for high performance,the relationship between material microstructure and its properties must be established to accurately predict the deformation and failure.Such a relationship between under- lying constituent material properties and composite performance can also aid selection and/or optimization of new composite systems.Successful models can yield predictive insight into the origins of damage tolerance, size scaling,and reliability of existing composite systems and can be extended to investigate damage and failure under more complex loading and environmental conditions,such as fatigue and stress rupture. Damage relevant to macroscopic failure of fiber-reinforced composite occurs at many length scales and by a variety of physical mechanisms.At the smallest scale,preexisting defects in the fibers propagate and form fiber cracks that impinge on the matrix and the interface.Debonding, sliding,and/or matrix yielding at the crack perimeter inhibit crack pro- pagation into the matrix;but the ensuing deformations are complex.The load carried by the broken fiber is then redistributed among the remaining
Chapter 2: Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure in Fiber-Reinforced Composites Zhenhai Xia1 and W.A. Curtin2 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA 2 Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA 2.1 Multiscale Damage and Failure of Fiber-Reinforced Composites Fiber-reinforced composites can be engineered to exhibit high strength, high stiffness, and high toughness, and are, thus, attractive alternatives to monolithic polymer, metals, and ceramics in structural applications. To engineer the material for high performance, the relationship between material microstructure and its properties must be established to accurately predict the deformation and failure. Such a relationship between underlying constituent material properties and composite performance can also aid selection and/or optimization of new composite systems. Successful models can yield predictive insight into the origins of damage tolerance, size scaling, and reliability of existing composite systems and can be extended to investigate damage and failure under more complex loading and environmental conditions, such as fatigue and stress rupture. Damage relevant to macroscopic failure of fiber-reinforced composite occurs at many length scales and by a variety of physical mechanisms. At the smallest scale, preexisting defects in the fibers propagate and form fiber cracks that impinge on the matrix and the interface. Debonding, sliding, and/or matrix yielding at the crack perimeter inhibit crack propagation into the matrix; but the ensuing deformations are complex. The load carried by the broken fiber is then redistributed among the remaining
38 Z.Xia and W.A.Curtin unbroken fibers and matrix as determined by the detailed conditions at the debonded fiber/matrix interface and in the matrix.Subsequent damage occurs in and around other fibers according to the statistical distribution of flaws in the fibers and the stresses acting on those flaws due to the applied stress and the stress redistribution.Eventually,macrocracks will form and grow,leading to failure of the composites.Figure 2.1 illustrates the damage evolution of fiber-reinforced composites at each length scale under different loading conditions. Fatigue Life Size-dependent Strength Rupture Life 鹗 Macro-scale Number of Cycles Sample size Times Critical Damage State:Failure Meso-scale Multiple Matrix Multiple Fiber Interacting cracking breaking Damage Evolution Micro-scale Fiber,matrix and interface crack growth Nano-scale Atomic bond breaking Fig.2.1.Multiscale damage and failure in fiber-reinforced composites Although the modeling path is conceptually clear,direct simulation of composite materials is still not a viable option despite advances in com- putational techniques and computing power.Finite element models that can capture micromechanical effects of cracks at the fiber/matrix/interface scale generally must employ mesh sizes of the order of the size of the microstructure and can result in an algebraic system with many millions of unknowns.It is insufficient,however,to focus only on one scale,i.e.,a fiber break and the myriad details associated with it.On the other hand, homogenization and averaging techniques for analyzing heterogeneous materials,while possibly leading to manageable problem sizes,do not
unbroken fibers and matrix as determined by the detailed conditions at the debonded fiber/matrix interface and in the matrix. Subsequent damage occurs in and around other fibers according to the statistical distribution of flaws in the fibers and the stresses acting on those flaws due to the applied stress and the stress redistribution. Eventually, macrocracks will form and grow, leading to failure of the composites. Figure 2.1 illustrates the damage evolution of fiber-reinforced composites at each length scale under different loading conditions. Size-dependent Strength Micro-scale Nano-scale Macro-scale Fatigue Life Rupture Life Fiber, matrix and interface crack growth Multiple Fiber breaking Atomic bond breaking Multiple Matrix cracking Critical Damage State: Failure Interacting Damage Evolution Meso-scale Number of Cycles Sample size Times Stress Stress Stress Fig. 2.1. Multiscale damage and failure in fiber-reinforced composites Although the modeling path is conceptually clear, direct simulation of composite materials is still not a viable option despite advances in computational techniques and computing power. Finite element models that can capture micromechanical effects of cracks at the fiber/matrix/interface scale generally must employ mesh sizes of the order of the size of the microstructure and can result in an algebraic system with many millions of unknowns. It is insufficient, however, to focus only on one scale, i.e., a fiber break and the myriad details associated with it. On the other hand, homogenization and averaging techniques for analyzing heterogeneous materials, while possibly leading to manageable problem sizes, do not 38 Z. Xia and W.A. Curtin
Chapter 2:Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure 39 provide information about the microscopic fields needed,for example,to predict failure.Thus,there is a need for accurate and computationally effi- cient techniques that take into account the most important scales involved in the goal of the simulation while permitting the analyst to choose the level of accuracy and detail of description desired.Therefore,a multiscale modeling strategy is needed to accurately handle the evolution of damage at the larger scales while retaining important small-scale details and,thus, to accurately predict mechanical properties and performance of fiber- reinforced composites. There are two main multiscale modeling techniques for materials: seamless coupling of methods in a single computational framework and hierarchical information transfer.Direct coupling methods are not viable for fiber composite problems because the damage spans a range of scales, and it is not possible to focus on one microscopic region in detail sur- rounded by a less-detailed description.Thus,the hierarchical multiscale modeling approach,in which the information of simulations at small length scales is processed and fed into larger-scale models,is preferable.The need for multiscale analyses has been well recognized;but until recently there has not been a direct connection made between the detailed structures at the fiber/matrix/interface scale,the multifiber damage problem,and large- scale component performance.Most work has assumed some approximate representation of the behavior at the smallest scale and pursued the larger- scale damage evolution.Such approaches are certainly warranted for under- standing broad trends,identifying characteristic length scales associated with the damage,and for guiding the development of analytic models [5,21,311.Other work has investigated the detailed stress states around damaged fibers,matrix,and/or interfaces but then employed only very simple models of overall composite behavior to indicate the important role of the microscale damage [12].Specific system design and optimization requires attention to the detailed micromechanics of damage and load trans- fer around individual fiber breaks and the inclusion of such information directly into accurate larger-scale models. In this chapter,one multiscale modeling approach for predicting tensile strengths of unidirectional fiber composites,including metal,poly- mer,and ceramic matrix composites will be reviewed.The quantitative success of this approach in predicting the tensile strength and its size dependence in a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP),silicon carbide fiber/titanium matrix composites (TMCs),and alumina fiber/aluminum matrix composite(AMC)will be demonstrated.Finally,the approach will be extended to the prediction of strength and low-cycle fatigue life of TMCs
provide information about the microscopic fields needed, for example, to predict failure. Thus, there is a need for accurate and computationally efficient techniques that take into account the most important scales involved in the goal of the simulation while permitting the analyst to choose the level of accuracy and detail of description desired. Therefore, a multiscale modeling strategy is needed to accurately handle the evolution of damage at the larger scales while retaining important small-scale details and, thus, to accurately predict mechanical properties and performance of fiberreinforced composites. There are two main multiscale modeling techniques for materials: seamless coupling of methods in a single computational framework and hierarchical information transfer. Direct coupling methods are not viable for fiber composite problems because the damage spans a range of scales, and it is not possible to focus on one microscopic region in detail surrounded by a less-detailed description. Thus, the hierarchical multiscale modeling approach, in which the information of simulations at small length scales is processed and fed into larger-scale models, is preferable. The need for multiscale analyses has been well recognized; but until recently there has not been a direct connection made between the detailed structures at the fiber/matrix/interface scale, the multifiber damage problem, and largescale component performance. Most work has assumed some approximate representation of the behavior at the smallest scale and pursued the largerscale damage evolution. Such approaches are certainly warranted for understanding broad trends, identifying characteristic length scales associated with the damage, and for guiding the development of analytic models [5, 21, 31]. Other work has investigated the detailed stress states around damaged fibers, matrix, and/or interfaces but then employed only very simple models of overall composite behavior to indicate the important role of the microscale damage [12]. Specific system design and optimization requires attention to the detailed micromechanics of damage and load transfer around individual fiber breaks and the inclusion of such information directly into accurate larger-scale models. In this chapter, one multiscale modeling approach for predicting tensile strengths of unidirectional fiber composites, including metal, polymer, and ceramic matrix composites will be reviewed. The quantitative success of this approach in predicting the tensile strength and its size dependence in a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), silicon carbide fiber/titanium matrix composites (TMCs), and alumina fiber/aluminum matrix composite (AMC) will be demonstrated. Finally, the approach will be extended to the prediction of strength and low-cycle fatigue life of TMCs. Chapter 2: Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure 39
40 Z.Xia and W.A.Curtin This review emphasizes the published work of the present authors on multiscale modeling and simulation cast into a single overall framework Progress in the field at one or several coupled scales has been made by many workers,with important insights and advances.In addition,analytic models for many problems in composite failure have been devised,but those works are not discussed here.Hence,the work presented here is not a comprehensive review of the literature.Interested readers can refer to several previous significant review articles [7,22,27]as well as other papers [19]. 2.2 Multiscale Modeling via Information Transfer 2.2.1 Model Description and General Strategy The fiber-reinforced composites considered here consist of continuous cylindrical fibers embedded in a matrix material in a unidirectional (aligned)arrangement.Such a composite can also be considered as a ply,a basic unit of a laminated composite structure.To develop a relationship between macroscopic properties and microstructure of the composite,a hierarchical set of models addressing physical phenomena at successive larger lengths scale,with coupling through information transfer,is intro- duced,as illustrated in Fig.2.2.Figure 2.2 shows the full possible range of studies relevant to the problem.At the smallest scales,an atomistic or quantum analysis can assess features such as interface fracture energy and crack deflection at the bimaterial fiber/matrix interface.Key information on interfacial debonding and sliding is then passed into a continuum interface model,e.g.,a cohesive zone,used in a micromechanical unit cell model consisting of matrix and a number of fibers to compute the stress redistribution around a fiber break for a particular material system.The stress redistribution is condensed into stress concentration factors on un- broken fibers,and,perhaps,stress intensity factors on matrix cracks,and this information is transferred to a larger-scale Monte Carlo model that tracks the evolution of fiber and/or matrix damage with increasing applied load.Details of the deformation around each fiber break are not retained at this scale,only their effects on stress concentrations.The Monte Carlo model is used to simulate damage up to the point of tensile failure,leading to a predicted average strength and statistical distribution for a composite sample that is small on the scale of practical samples but large compared to the critical damage size that drives failure.The tensile strength distribu- tion calculated from the Monte Carlo model is then employed in analytic
This review emphasizes the published work of the present authors on multiscale modeling and simulation cast into a single overall framework. Progress in the field at one or several coupled scales has been made by many workers, with important insights and advances. In addition, analytic models for many problems in composite failure have been devised, but those works are not discussed here. Hence, the work presented here is not a comprehensive review of the literature. Interested readers can refer to 2.2 Multiscale Modeling via Information Transfer 2.2.1 Model Description and General Strategy The fiber-reinforced composites considered here consist of continuous cylindrical fibers embedded in a matrix material in a unidirectional basic unit of a laminated composite structure. To develop a relationship between macroscopic properties and microstructure of the composite, a hierarchical set of models addressing physical phenomena at successive larger lengths scale, with coupling through information transfer, is introduced, as illustrated in Fig. 2.2. Figure 2.2 shows the full possible range of studies relevant to the problem. At the smallest scales, an atomistic or quantum analysis can assess features such as interface fracture energy and crack deflection at the bimaterial fiber/matrix interface. Key information on interfacial debonding and sliding is then passed into a continuum interface model, e.g., a cohesive zone, used in a micromechanical unit cell model consisting of matrix and a number of fibers to compute the stress redistribution around a fiber break for a particular material system. The stress redistribution is condensed into stress concentration factors on unbroken fibers, and, perhaps, stress intensity factors on matrix cracks, and this information is transferred to a larger-scale Monte Carlo model that tracks the evolution of fiber and/or matrix damage with increasing applied load. Details of the deformation around each fiber break are not retained at this scale, only their effects on stress concentrations. The Monte Carlo model is used to simulate damage up to the point of tensile failure, leading to a predicted average strength and statistical distribution for a composite sample that is small on the scale of practical samples but large compared to the critical damage size that drives failure. The tensile strength distribution calculated from the Monte Carlo model is then employed in analytic 40 Z. Xia and W.A. Curtin several previous significant review articles [7, 22, 27] as well as other (aligned) arrangement. Such a composite can also be considered as a ply, a papers [19]
Chapter 2:Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure 41 weak-link size-scaling models to predict ply strength and its statistical distribution as a function of physical size.Finally,the ply strength is used in standard laminated composite models to predict the strength and reliabi- lity of the composite component.In the last stage,other damage phenomena such as interply delamination can occur and change the local stresses in the plies themselves.In such cases,the ply strength vs.size can be used at smaller scales to assess the onset of local ply damage due to these other damage modes. Component Engineering design Strength,Life, m Reliability... Multiple Plies Laminate Analyses Ply mm Multiple Strengths Fibers Size-scaling Strength Monte Carlo Distribution Fiber/ Interface Damage Evolution Stress matrix m 3D Finite Element Concentration Micromechanics Factors Atoms Molecular Interface nm Dynamics Behavior Electrons Inter-atomic Quantum Mechanics Potential Fig.2.2.Approach to multiscale modeling:scale coupling via information transfer It is not necessary to always start from the quantum mechanical scale and progress upward.In fact,the goal of composite design is to shift the critical scale of damage from the nanoscale,e.g.,the crack tip,to the much larger,observable,and detectable scale of collective fiber damage.Since a single fiber break does not initiate macroscopic failure,the details of the behavior at the smaller scales,while important,are not sufficient to predict failure.Therefore,one strategy is to envision possible modes of interface debonding and fiber/matrix constitutive behavior,as motivated by experi- ments or other theoretical models,and then use the multiscale modeling approach starting at the micromechanical scale.Parametric studies of the effect of interface and matrix behavior on the macroscopic fracture can then point to issues at smaller scales that would merit more detailed treat- ment.The work presented in this chapter focuses on the multiscale modeling
weak-link size-scaling models to predict ply strength and its statistical distribution as a function of physical size. Finally, the ply strength is used in standard laminated composite models to predict the strength and reliability of the composite component. In the last stage, other damage phenomena such as interply delamination can occur and change the local stresses in the plies themselves. In such cases, the ply strength vs. size can be used at smaller scales to assess the onset of local ply damage due to these other damage modes. Fig. 2.2. Approach to multiscale modeling: scale coupling via information transfer It is not necessary to always start from the quantum mechanical scale and progress upward. In fact, the goal of composite design is to shift the critical scale of damage from the nanoscale, e.g., the crack tip, to the much larger, observable, and detectable scale of collective fiber damage. Since a single fiber break does not initiate macroscopic failure, the details of the behavior at the smaller scales, while important, are not sufficient to predict failure. Therefore, one strategy is to envision possible modes of interface debonding and fiber/matrix constitutive behavior, as motivated by experiments or other theoretical models, and then use the multiscale modeling approach starting at the micromechanical scale. Parametric studies of the effect of interface and matrix behavior on the macroscopic fracture can then point to issues at smaller scales that would merit more detailed treatment. The work presented in this chapter focuses on the multiscale modeling Chapter 2: Multiscale Modeling of Tensile Failure 41