Progressive damage modeling for large deformation loading of composite structures

A nonlinear constitutive model for large deformation loading at different strain rate condition was developed to represent tensile progressive damage of the nonlinear large deformation rate dependent behavior of polymer-based composite materials. The material was characterized by using off-axis composite specimens at different strain rates. A new failure criterion was proposed for the analysis of different loading directions and strain rates. Based on a method of combining the nonlinear constitutive theory and the proposed failure criterion for different strain rates, the progressive damage behavior of large deformation composites was represented. The strength of the material was also successfully represented with a single material constant.