J. Whitcomb et K. Srirengan, EFFECT OF VARIOUS APPROXIMATIONS ON PREDICTED PROGRESSIVE FAILURE IN PLAIN WEAVE COMPOSITES, Composite structures, 34(1), 1996, pp. 13-20
Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to simulate progres
sive failure of a plain weave composite subjected to in-plane extensio
n. The loading was parallel to one of the tow directions. The effects
of various characteristics of the finite element model on predicted be
havior were examined. The predicted behavior was found to be sensitive
to quadrature order, mesh refinement and the material degradation mod
el. Also the sensitivity of the predictions to the tow waviness was st
udied. The predicted strength decreased considerably with increased wa
viness. More numerical studies and comparisons with experimental data
are needed to establish reliable guidelines for accurate progressive f
ailure prediction.