Prediction of Tensile Strength of Unidirectional CFRP Composites

Abstract

Tensile strength of unidirectional CFRP composites was predicted by the numerical simulation plus size scaling technique. The fiber strength distribution used in the numerical simulation was determined from the fragmentation process in a single fiber composite. Since the experimental data was obviously not fitted with the normal Weibull distribution, we fitted them with the Weibull of Weibull (WOW) model considering the statistical distribution of scale parameters of fiber strength in normal Weibull model. Moreover, the constitutive law of the matrix was derived from the stress-strain curves of the angle ply laminates utilizing the micromechanics approach proposed by Tohgo et al. Based on these parameters, we simulated the tensile fracture of unidirectional CFRP composites with the spring element model. The predicted tensile strength by the numerical simulation plus size scaling has a good agreement with the experimental data.