Progressive Damage Analysis of Random Chopped Fiber Composite Using Finite Elements

The mechanical properties of random chopped fiber composites are analyzed using micromechanical principles. A progressive damage model is adopted to investigate the damage and failure of the material. A representative volume element is generated numerically based on microscopic observations that capture the complex mesostructure of the random chopped fiber composite specimens. Sequentially, the mechanical properties are obtained using a micromechanics approach, particularly, the homogenization method. The underlying hypothesis insinuates that damage mechanisms such as matrix cracking, fiber damage, and interfacial debonding are responsible for the damaged behavior of the composite. Matrix cracking and fiber damage are modeled by progressive degradation of their respective stiffnesses. The interfacial debonding is modeled with a cohesive zone model. The prediction of uniaxial tensile response is compared with experimental data.