Papers by Keyword: Cohesive Zone Model

Abstract: The various joints employed in high-pressure reinforced thermoplastic composite pipes (RTPs) face several challenges, including large outer diameters, complex traversal structures, and susceptibility to corrosion. To address these issues, this paper proposes a welding-reinforced joint structure and investigates its failure mechanism under tensile loading. Based on the 3D Hashin failure criterion, VUMAT subroutines were developed to model the exponential damage evolution of both unidirectional fiber-reinforced and woven composites. A three-dimensional finite element mode was established to perform dynamic analysis under tensile conditions, incorporating a cohesive zone model and VUMAT. The analysis results show that as tensile displacement increases, the bonding interface undergoes gradual debonding, with separation starting at the ends of the joint and propagating toward the middle. Once the interface is fully debonded, the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in the welding region fails immediately. The maximum failure factors for both the RTP and the joint occur at the edges of the remaining bonding interface. his finding is consistent with the dynamic pattern of interface damage and failure.

Abstract: Fibre-reinforced composite materials are widespread in lightweight, high-performance applications. However, polymeric composites generally exhibit a brittle behaviour, which makes them susceptible to impact damage. Even low-velocity impacts can produce delaminations, which cause a substantial reduction of the compressive mechanical properties. Metallic layers have been embedded in composite laminates with the aim to improve their fracture behaviour: aluminium plies can be employed to increase the indentation resistance of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) specimens. For this reason, hybrid fibre-metal laminates are expected to be a viable solution to reduce the damage caused by low-velocity impacts. In this work, CFRP specimens reinforced with aluminium plies were modelled using the finite element method and a cohesive zone model. Cohesive elements based on a traction-separation formulation were embedded at each ply-to-ply interface to enforce delamination damage. Different configurations of the Al reinforcements were studied by varying the position of the aluminium layers between the CFRP plies.

Abstract: In the context of automotive crash simulation, rate-dependent properties are sought for all materials undergoing deformation. Measuring rate-dependent properties of adhesively bonded joints is a challenging and associated with additional cost. This article assesses the need for having rate-dependent properties of adhesively bonded joints for the example of a typical automotive structure, an adhesively bonded metallic T-joint. Using Finite Element simulation it could be shown that good agreement between experiment and simulation was only achieved if rate-dependent properties were considered for the adhesive.

Abstract: A computational interface damage model which takes into account crack initiation andgrowth along connections between parts of a multi-domain structure is proposed and is exposed tosituations where cyclic loading and its effects on the structure are noticeable, though the inertial effects are not considered. Modelling of damage takes into account various aspects of damage propagation and invoking of an interface crack. First, the degradation function of the interface layer controls the stressseparation relation on damage evolution. Second, the instant of triggering and cessation of damage propagation may in situations of cyclic loads depend on the actual state of the structure, influencing thus its endurance limit. Finally, the hysteretic character of damage provides together with loadingunloading conditions a fatigue-like character, where the crack appears for smaller magnitude of the cyclic load than for pure uploading. The numerical solution and a short parametric study is provided for a simplified situation of single damageable interface spring.

Abstract: Delamination or interlaminar fracture often occurs in composite laminate due to several factors such as high interlaminar stress, stress concentration, impact stress as well as imperfections in manufacturing processes. In this study, finite element (FE) simulation of mode I delamination in double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen of carbon fiber/epoxy laminate HTA/6376C is investigated using cohesive zone model (CZM). 3D geometry of DCB specimen is developed in ANSYS Mechanical software and 8-node interface elements with bi-linear formulation are employed to connect the upper and lower parts of DCB. Effect of variation of number of elements on the laminate critical force is particularly examined. The mesh variation includes coarse, fine, and finest mesh. Simulation results show that the finest mesh needs to be employed to produce an accurate assessment of laminate critical force, which is compared with the one obtained from exact solution. This study hence addresses suitable number of elements as a reference to be used for 3D simulation of delamination progress in the composite laminate, which is less explored in existing studies of delamination of composites so far.

Abstract: A finite element model on the single fiber pull-out test of short fiber reinforced rubber matrix sealing composites (SFRC) were established. The effects of the interphase properties on the interfacial stress distribution and initial debonding strain are investigated based on the cohesive zone model (CZM). The influences of interphase thicknesses and elastic modulus on the interfacial debonding behavior of SFRC are obtained. The results show that the interfacial initial debonding strain increases with the increasement of interphase thickness, and it decreases with the increasement of interphase elastic modulus. An interphase thickness of 0.4 μm and an interphase elastic modulus of about 750 MPa are optimal to restrain the initiation of the interfacial debonding.

Abstract: In this paper a novel Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) is derived within the framework of continuum thermodynamics to describe cracking and delamination behaviour of coatings at high-temperatures. The separation variable in the Traction-Separation-Law (TSL) is decomposed into elastic and inelastic part. For evolution of inelastic separation, a power-law in combination with a damage evolution law is used to consider the tertiary stage of inelastic separation of the interface, additionally. Thereby, damage evolution is related to the corresponding thermodynamic driving force and the inelastic opening rate. For reasons of simplicity the resulting thermo-mechanical problem only considers heat conduction through the interface. Due to the fact that standard Newton-Raphson procedure gets unstable (e.g. snap-back) when softening occurs which is the case by using a CZM, this model is enhanced with the damage gradient, similar to approaches in phase field modelling. Further on, this extension is done to investigate if it is possible to overcome the size dependence of CZMs. Finally, the model is reduced to pure Mode I opening and an example for a Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) is analysed by the finite difference method.

Abstract: A recent cohesive zone model is applied to the simulation of crack extension in austenitic stainless steel under large scale yielding conditions. The shape of the corresponding exponential traction-separation-relation can be modified in a wide range. In order to investigate the sensitivity regarding the cohesive zone parameters, a systematic parametric study is performed. The shape of the traction-separation envelope has a minor effect on the results compared to the cohesive strength and the work of separation. The aim is to fit experimental data by an appropriate choice of these parameters. Therefore, not only force-displacement curves should be used, but also crack growth resistance curves should be employed. A promising strategy for parameter identification is derived.

Abstract: A model for numerical analysis of interface damage which leads to interface crack initiationand propagation in multi-domain structures under cyclic loading is considered. Modelling of damagetakes into account various relations between interface stresses and displacement gaps providing theresponse of a cohesive zone model, additionally equipped by a kind of viscosity associated to theevolution of the interface damage. Together with repeating loading-unloading conditions, it makesthis damage process to have a fatigue-like character, where the crack appears for smaller magnitudeof the cyclic load than for pure uploading.

Abstract: The suitability of an optimisation workflow for the determination of the mixed-mode cohesive zone model parameters using digital volume correlation (DVC) data and the inverse finite element method was examined. A virtual compression experiment of a cylinder with a spherical inclusion was modelled using the finite element method. A bilinear traction separation law with a linear mixed-mode relationship was used to describe the interfacial behaviour. Known mode I and mode II fracture energies, = 20 J/m² and = 40 J/m² and damage initiation stress, = 0.09 MPa, were used to generate a target composite debonding behaviour. An objective function,, determined based on the debonding behaviour measurable by DVC was chosen. A full factorial experiment was carried out for the four cohesive parameters and showed that correlation between fracture energies/ damage initiation stresses and is non-linear and discontinuous with multiple local minima. Optimisations initiated at the local minima identified from the full factorial experiment correctly determined the target cohesive fracture energies and damage initiation stresses.