Multiscale model of woven ceramic matrix composites considering manufacturing induced damage

Multiscale models play an important role in capturing the nonlinear response of woven carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. In plain weave carbon fiber/silicon carbide (C/SiC) composites, for example, when microcracks form in the as-produced parts due to the mismatch in thermal properties between constituents, a multiscale thermoelastic framework can be used to capture the initial damage state of these composites. In this paper, a micromechanics-based multiscale model coupled with a thermoelastic progressive damage model is developed to simulate the elastic and damage behavior of a plain weave C/SiC composite system under thermal and mechanical loading conditions. The multiscale model is able to accurately predict composite behavior and serves as a valuable tool in investigating the physics of damage initiation and progression, in addition to the evolution of effective composite elastic moduli caused by temperature change and damage. The matrix damage initiation and progression is investigated at various length scales and the effects are demonstrated on the global composite behavior. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.