Finite element study of compressively loaded fibres fractured during impact

Abstract This paper examines the compressive behaviour of plies with fibres previously fractured during impact. The analysis is conducted using finite element (FE) modelling in ABAQUS 6.7. Two- and three- dimensional models are used to consider the possibility of fibre penetration and “brooming” of fractured fibres, or fibre buckling. A parametric study of the influence of the input parameters of the Drucker Prager plasticity model was also conducted, to enable a better understanding of the model. This was used to capture the triaxial stress state in the matrix surrounding the fibres. The results suggest that fibre buckling is more likely to occur due to the geometry of fibres and fibre spacing in carbon fibre composites, but fibre penetration could still occur in regions of low fibre volume fraction.