Finite element simulation of the failure process of single fiber composites considering interface properties

A numerical study has been performed to investigate the failure process of single fiber composite materials considering interface properties under uniaxial tensile load. In the study, ABAQUS-USDFLD is used to simulate the fiber break and ABAQUS-UMAT is employed to simulate the matrix Cracking. In particular, cohesive element is used to simulate the interface properties. From the study, we can see that the degradation factor d involved in the subroutine USDFLD and UMAT has significant effects on the damage initiation. We also found the fiber and matrix affect single fiber composite performance obviously and interface properties affect single fiber composites performance via failure models. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.