Micromechanics-based progressive failure analysis prediction for WWFE-III composite coupon test cases

As a part of a world-wide study, a commercial code (General Optimization Analyzer), based on multi-scale (micro-macro) progressive failure analysis (PFA), is used to provide theoretical predictions for damage development for a set of challenging 13 test cases proposed in the Third World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE-III). Multiple failure criteria were utilized aimed at tackling issues related to a wide range of damage modes, being addressed by the WWFE-III. The critical damage events/indexes predictions tracked translaminar and interlaminar composite failures, namely matrix cracking/crack density, damage initiation/propagation, delamination initiation/growth, and their interaction with fiber failure. The composite laminates analysed were both with and without a central hole and the predictions were made using constituent fiber properties and matrix properties based on materials data or identification from ply stress-strain curve inputs. Loadings included uniaxial tension or compression, biaxial, bending, thermal, and loading-unloading.