University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A generalized finite element method for three-dimensional fractures in fiber-reinforced composites

Alves, Phillipe Daniel

Content Files
ALVES-DISSERTATION-2020.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109628

Description

Title
A generalized finite element method for three-dimensional fractures in fiber-reinforced composites
Author(s)
Alves, Phillipe Daniel
Issue Date
2020-12-03
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Duarte, Carlos A
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Duarte, Carlos A
Committee Member(s)
  • Geubelle, Philippe H
  • Lopez-Pamies, Oscar
  • Simone, Angelo
Department of Study
Civil & Environmental Eng
Discipline
Civil Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2021-03-05T21:47:31Z
Keyword(s)
Generalized Finite Element Method Fiber-Reinforced Composites
Abstract
Fiber reinforcements are used in a broad variety of materials in engineering. They increase the strength, stiffness, ductility, and resistance to fatigue of the unreinforced material. Computational simulations can reduce the cost of designing these materials, and improve the understanding of their failure mechanisms. However, modeling of damage evolution and the multiscale interactions in composite materials using standard Finite Element Methods (FEMs) face significant barriers in terms of model generation and problem size. This work presents recent advances of the Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM) for three-dimensional modeling and simulation of crack propagation in fiber-reinforced composites. Fibers are discretely modeled using a modified formulation of the Embedded Reinforcement with bond Slip (mERS) that allows its combination with the GFEM where fractures are represented using enrichment functions instead of meshes fitting the crack surface. Matrix cracks are described using discontinuous and singular functions as in the GFEM for homogeneous materials. This procedure can address some of the limitations of existing FEMs by describing both cracks and fibers independently of the underlying FEM mesh. Examples illustrating the capabilities and robustness of the method are presented. Crack propagation simulations are compared to physical tests showing that the method can successfully reproduce the failure behavior of fiber-reinforced composites. The results show that several failure mechanisms of the composite can be reproduced by the model, including matrix crack propagation, fiber debonding, and failure. In addition a multiscale approach is proposed using the GFEMgl, a framework that allows intercommunication between macro and micro scales of the material.
Graduation Semester
2020-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109628
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2020 Phillipe Alves

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