A comparative study on the failure criteria for predicting the damage initiation in fibre-reinforced composites

Abstract

In this research, a review is performed to explore the advantages and disadvantages of different failure criteria for fibre reinforced composites. Widely-used failure criteria, such as the Maximum stress criterion, Hashin criterion, Puck’s criterion, LaRC03 and Northwestern University (NU) criteria are reviewed based on the relevant literature. A comparison is performed of these failure criteria, using the analytical results obtained from a MATLAB programme and numerical results obtained from an Abaqus finite element model. The applicability and reliability of these failure criteria for predicting damage in thermoplastic laminates, i.e. AS4 carbon fibre reinforced Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), are evaluated based on the analytical and numerical results. Thenumerical results reveal that the Maximum Stress criterion provides the most conservative prediction, whilst the Hashin and Northwestern University (NU) criteria give reasonable and sensible results with an acceptable running time. Puck and LaRC03 criteria deliver more accurate predictions, but with longer running times.