Novel Method to Utilize Multi-scale Physics-based Technique for Crack Path Determination in Fiber-reinforced Composites

The main goal of TDA’s work is further develop a multi-scale modeling tool targeting discrete damage evolution in composites and enhance Augmented Finite Element Modeling (AFEM) model considering new energy/ entropy criterion for crack initiation. Our AFEM/multiscale modelling effort will account for static and fatigue loading and captures physical processes from the micro-scale to the macro-scale. In this framework, the information of global loading boundary conditions is first transferred to the micro-scale. Then, at the micro level, AFEM simulates discrete cracks and resulting stiffness/strength information is transferred to macro-scale. Depending upon the failure status of micro-scale model, discrete crack network are automatically inserted into the macro-scale model. Finally, at the macro-level, once cracks initiated, AFEM is used to model crack propagation under static or fatigue loading. We also investigate if it is possible to retain the vast built-in capabilities of conventional FEA with the ability to treat cracking using the notion of bond breaking.