Prediction of failure and fracture mechanisms of polymeric composites using finite element analysis. Part 2: Fiber reinforced composites

A robust finite element scheme for the micro-mechanical modeling of the beh avior of fiber reinforced polymeric composites under external loads is deve loped. The developed model is used to simulate stress distribution througho ut the composite domain and to identify the locations where maximum stress concentrations occur. This information is used as a guide to predict domina nt failure and crack growth mechanisms in fiber reinforced composites. The differences between continuous fibers, which are susceptible to unidirectio nal transverse fracture, and short fibers have been demonstrated. To assess the validity and range of applicability of the developed scheme, numerical results obtained by the model are compared with the available experimental data and also with the values found using other methods reported in the li terature. These comparisons show that the present finite element scheme can generate meaningful results in the analysis of fiber reinforced composites .