Life prediction of a notched composite ring using progressive fatigue damage models

In this paper, a progressive fatigue damage modeling technique is proposed based on Reifsnider's critical element concept. The static and fatigue behavior of the unidirectional E-glass/epoxy composite plies in the fiber and matrix direction is obtained experimentally. Considering suitable material property degradation models, a computer code is developed which integrating with the Abaqus software it is capable of predicting the fatigue life of a notched composite ring with different layup configuration under arbitrary states of stress. To evaluate the applicability of the model, a number of fatigue tests under different states of stress are conducted on the notched composite rings. It is proved that by having unidirectional properties of a composite, this model is capable of estimating the static strength of the notched rings with less than five percent deviation and putting forward a reliable prediction for fatigue life with less than twenty percent underestimation.