Micromechanical simulation of tensile failure of discontinuous fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites using Spring Element Model

The micromechanical damage and strength of discontinuous fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites was simulated by the Spring Element Model (SEM), and SEM was compared with Periodic Unit-Cell (PUC) simulation to clarify the potential of SEM. Tensile failure simulations indicate that SEM can be effectively used to predict the strength of long discontinuous fiber reinforced composites. The transition between matrix cracking mode and fiber breaking mode is also discussed to clarify the fiber length at which SEM can be used to predict strength. In addition, the strengths predicted with SEM are compared with the results of experiments on long discontinuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.