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.