Finite element modeling of damage and failure in fiber reinforced composites

This paper presents a comparative study between Hashin damage criterion and the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) applied to the failure of Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRC). For this, a brief literature review on these failure criteria is firstly presented. Then, two finite element models (Hashin and XFEM) of a square plate with a circular hole in the centre, subjected to monotonic uniaxial tension, are described in the scope of ABAQUS. The models are validated by comparison of numerical results with those of a benchmark model. Finally, the influence of the two failure criteria (Hashin and XFEM) on the load vs. extension paths, stresses distributions and collapse configurations of the plates is shown and discussed and some conclusions are drawn.