Failure Model for Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Composites

This paper presents a failure model applicable for unidirectional fibers reinforced composites that point out the fiber-matrix interface role in the mechanics of the failure process. The model is applicable in any plane stress state case. The ABAQUS/Standard finite elements program is used to point out the applicability of failure model The deformation of a square plate with the dimensions of 100x100 mm, having a hole with the diameter of 50 mm in the middle, was analyzed. The plate is realized from composite materials with unidirectional fibers oriented at an angle of 45 degrees. The visualization and the interpretation of the simulation results have been made with the help of ABAQUS/Viewer module. The obtained diagrams reflect a very good concordance between the predictions of the failure model and the results provided by other models. This confirms the hypothesis on whose basis the unidirectional composite failure model was formulated.