Modelling of strain rate effects on matrix dominated elastic and failure properties of unidirectional fibre-reinforced polymer–matrix composites

Abstract A phenomenological-based, strain rate dependent failure theory, which is suitable for the numerical modelling of unidirectional (UD) carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs), is presented. A phenomenological-based approach is also proposed for the three-dimensional (3D) modelling of strain rate induced material hardening in UD polymer composites. The proposed theory and approach are implemented in the Finite element (FE) code ABAQUS/Explicit for one integration point solid elements. Validation is presented against experimental data from dynamic compressive tests using results available in the published literature. Conclusions indicate that the proposed method can be applied for predicting the elastic and failure properties of UD carbon fibre polymer composites for generic, 3D, quasi-static (QS) and high-rate loading conditions with very good accuracy. In particular, it is shown that the phenomenological approach to modelling here proposed allows prediction of all matrix dominated properties, i.e. moduli of elasticity and strength, including parallel-to-the fibres compressive strength, with the knowledge of one strain rate dependent parameter, which is characterised using dynamic strength data for one specimen configuration.