A promising way to model damage in composite and dry fabrics using a Discrete Element Method (DEM)

Abstract

A promising way to model fracture mechanics with the use of an original Discrete Element Method (DEM) is proposed. After proving the ability of the method to capture kinetic damage induced by cracking phenomena in brittle materials such as silica [1], taking advantage of the method for composite materials applications is the main purpose of this work. This paper highlights recent developments to prove capabilities of the DEM and to give some answers to challenges : i) use the present DEM to model damage mechanisms (matrix cracking, debonding, fiber break and delamination) in a composite material ii) deal with impact applications using the DEM. All developments are made in the home made software GRANOO (GRANular Objet Oriented) [2]. The capability of the DEM to model matrix cracking, debonding and fiber break is first demonstrated on a so-called representative elementary volume (REV) made of a fiber flooded in a matrix. Modelize the REV with DEM and retrieve suitable homogenized properties is the first challenge reached. Secondly, the ability of the method to capture matrix cracking, debonding and fiber break is qualitatively demonstrated through basic static simulations performed on the REV. The ongoing developments to improve are presented. Then, the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test using Discrete Element (DE) is investigated. Contact cohesive laws are identified from experiments and implemented in GRANOO. Simulations of DCB test using DEM are then performed. Results are discussed and ways of improvements are proposed. Finally, the ability of the DEM to simulate impact damage on textile is pointed out. Numerical investigations are based on Ha-Minh & co. Works in [3, 4] taken for reference. The weaving is exactly reproduced with DE. The contact between yarns is naturally taken into account in the DEM. The promising results are commented and the on going developments are exposed.