Parameters prediction of cohesive zone model for simulating composite/adhesive delamination in hygrothermal environments

In this paper, moisture parameters of adhesive SY-14M-III and composite T800/AC531 were firstly measured, which were used for the following moisture diffusion investigations. Then, double cantilever beam (DCB) tests and end notched flexure (ENF) tests were conducted in four environments, and relevant progressive damage models considering cohesive zone models were established. The results show that the models are efficient by comparison of experimental and numerical results, and eight pairs of cohesive parameters (interface strength and interface stiffness) corresponding to the specified fracture energy release rates were obtained. Finally, a modified Tsai prediction method of cohesive zone model for simulating composite/adhesive delamination in hygrothermal environments was proposed based on an assumption of the composite/adhesive moisture diffusion process, which can be as a reference or basic data for numerical analysis of adhesively bonded composite structures.