Delamination analysis of carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK using coarse mesh

The simulation of the delamination process in composite structures made from carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is quite complex and requires advanced finite element modeling techniques. Failure analysis tools must be able to predict initiation, size and propagation of delamination process. The objective of the paper is to present modeling technique which is able to predict a delamination in a double-cantilever-beam (DCB) test. The approach is to use a fracture mechanics criterion, but to avoid the complex moving mesh technique. The modeling technique using coarse mesh adopts higher-order approximation (p-level=8) based on Lobatto shape functions. For fracture analysis, also, virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) is considered. Using moving nodal modes, the delamination analysis is implemented and then the performance of present analysis is demonstrated by comparing with the results of references.