Numerical modeling of nonlinear deformation of polymer composites based on hyperelastic constitutive law

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites exhibit nonlinear and hyperelastic characteristics under finite deformation. This paper investigates the macroscopic hyperelastic behavior of fiber reinforced polymer composites using a micromechanical model and finite deformation theory based on the hyperelastic constitutive law. The local stress and deformation of a representative volume element are calculated by the nonlinear finite element method. Then, an averaging procedure is used to find the homogenized stress and strain, and the macroscopic stressstrain curves are obtained. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate hyperelastic behavior and deformation of the composites, and the effects of the distribution pattern of fibers are also investigated to model the mechanical behavior of FRP composites. © 2009 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH.