A micromechanically-based model for predicting dynamic damage evolution inductile polymers

A new micromechanically-based viscoelastic cohesive zone model is proposed that extends the features of a quasistatic model previously developed by th e authors. A statistical distribution of fibril radii is assumed, and a cri tical fibril radius is introduced as a fracture criterion. Results are pres ented for various loading rates, and it is found that this dynamic damage m odel is both physically motivated and capable of modeling complex phenomena in cohesive zones. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.