Mesoscale modelling of tensile response and damage evolution in natural fibre reinforced laminates

Zia Mahboob (1) , Yves Chemisky (2) , Fodil Meraghni (2) , Habiba Bougherara (1)

1 Department of mechanical and industrial engineering (Toronto, CANADA)
2 LEM3 - Laboratoire d'Etude des Microstructures et de Mécanique des Matériaux

A continuum damage mechanics based mesoscale model is developed within a thermodynamics framework to describe the in-plane tensile response in natural fibre composites. The standard Mesoscale Damage Theory (MDT) is modified to incorporate damage and inelasticity evolution in the fibre-direction, thereby capturing the unique nonlinear fibre-direction response evidenced in natural fibre composites (NFC). The multi-ply damage model is validated using tests on Flax/epoxy laminates and available data on Carbon/epoxy laminates. Model parameters are identified for Flax/epoxy by applying an optimisation algorithm that compares numerical predictions with experimental data. Predictions of mechanical response, stiffness degradation, and inelasticity correlate very well with experimental observations of Flax-laminates. This modified-MDT model offers a predictive, robust tool to aid the development of NFC engineering structures.

Mots clés: Natural fibre composites; Plastic deformation; Computational modelling; Damage mechanics; Mechanical testing

Domaines: Mécanique des matériaux [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des solides [physics.class-ph]

Zia Mahboob, Yves Chemisky, Fodil Meraghni, Habiba Bougherara. Mesoscale modelling of tensile response and damage evolution in natural fibre reinforced laminates. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2017, 119, pp.168-183. ⟨10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.03.018⟩. ⟨hal-02412996⟩