International Journal of Scientific Research and Review ISSN NO: 2279-543X
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF DELAMINATION OF NANOCOMPOSITES
G.Narendar1, E. Arjun2, S.Charvani3
1
Associate Professor, 2PG Scholar
University College of Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad
3
Associate Professor, Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad
ABSTRACT
The principal mode of failure of layered composites is the separation along the interfaces of the
layers, viz. delamination. This type of failure is induced by interlaminar tension and shear that
developed due to variety of factors such as: Free edge effects, structural discontinuities, localized
disturbances during manufacture and in working condition, such as impact of falling objects,
drilling during lab applications, moisture and temperature variations and internal failure
mechanisms such as matrix cracking, etc.
Engineering layered composites involves complex definitions that include numerous layers,
materials, thicknesses and orientations. The engineering challenge is to predict how well the
finished product will perform under real-world working conditions. Simulation is ideal for this
when considering stresses and deformations as well as a range of failure criteria. ANSYS
Composite PrepPost software provides all necessary functionalities for finite element analysis of
layered composite structures and is used in this project work.
For all the problems considered ANSYS Composite PrepPost software is used to design and
analysis procedure. Practical investigation is carried out on the composite laminates for
delamination characteristics. Simulation analysis and experimental investigations are carried out
and compared.
1. INTRODUCTION
A material having two or more distinct constituent material or phase may be considered a
composite material. Most composites consist of fibers of one material tightly bound with another
material called a matrix. The matrix binds the fibers together, and makes them more resistant
towards the external damage, whereas the fiber makes the matrix stronger and stiffer and helps it
resist cracks and fracture.
1.1 Defects of composites
Defects can inadvertently be produced in composite materials, either during the manufacturing
process or during the normal service life of the component. The manufacturing process has the
potential for causing a wide range of defects, the most common of which is “porosity,” the
presence of small voids in the matrix. Porosity can be caused by incorrect, or non-optimal, cure
parameters such as duration, temperature, pressure, or vacuum bleeding of resin. Porosity levels
can be critical, as they will affect mechanical performance parameters, such as inter-laminar
shear stress.
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K.D. Murphy and J.M. Nichols [1] developed a low dimensional dynamic model to describe
the response of a delaminated composite structure to applied excitation. The model consists of
three beam elements and incorporates nonlinear axial stretching to permit delamination buckling.
The stiffness terms in the model (typically the most complicated part) are successfully validated
with experiments. The response from the dynamic model is then used to predict the performance
of a damage detection algorithm based on the estimated bicoherence function.
P K Parhi et al. [2] conducted a comprehensive analysis on first ply failure analysis of
laminated composites plates with arbitrary located multiple delaminated subjected to transverse
static load as well as impact. The theoretical formulation is based on a simple multiple
delamination model. Conventional first order shear deformation is assumed using eight-nodded
isoperimetric quadratic elements to develop the finite element analysis procedure. Composite
plates are assumed to contain both single and multiple delaminations. To investigate the size and
number of delamination as well as the stacking sequences and boundary conditions.
David C. Fleming [3] investigated a study on modeling delamination using the finite element
crash code msc/dytran. Modeling of crashworthy composite structures is limited by the inability
of current generations of finite element crash codes to effectively model certain critical failure
modes, such as delamination. Previous efforts to model delamination and deboning failure modes
using crash codes have typically relied on ad hoc failure criteria and quasistatic failure data.
Improvements to those modeling procedure can be made by using an approach based on fracture
mechanics. This investigation demonstrates the potential for improved the crash modeling of
composites through improved delamination modeling. Further developments to this approach
may result in improved analytical tools that can be used to modal delamination using current
generation codes
D.M. Hoyt et al. [4] examined a comprehensive analysis of a combined strength and fracture
analysis approach applied to typical bonded joint configurations found in rotorcraft composite
structures. The aerospace industry lacks a validated, practical analysis method for the strength,
durability and damage tolerance evaluation of composite bonded joints. Strength-of-materials
failure criteria are used to predict critical damage initiation loads and locations. A fracture
mechanics approach is used to predict damage growth and failure under static and cyclic loads
based on test data for static fracture toughness and crack growth rate. Results are presented from
the application of the analysis approach to two joint configurations: 1) a skin- stiffener t-joint
and 2) a bonded repair lap joint. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used
to predict critical failure modes, damage initiation loads and locations, crack and/or delamination
stability, static strength, residual strength and fatigue life. Numerical investigation on the
delamination of the composites is carried out.
2. METHODOLOGY
For the Finite element simulation analysis purpose, ANSYS ACP module has been used to
develop composite laminate and applying static structural analysis. The methodology followed in
the FEM Analysis is:
1. Dimensions of the specimen are taken as per ASTM D3171-06
2. Modeling of the specimen using ANSYS ACP.
3. The force acting on the specimen varies with respect to length should be tabulated
4. Analysis of Results.
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International Journal of Scientific Research and Review ISSN NO: 2279-543X
2.1 Modeling
The entire modeling part is done in ANSYS ACP.
Figure 1: Specimen geometry
Geometry of test sample is made according to ASTM D3171-06
2.2 Meshing of Surface
Figure 2: Meshing of the test sample
ANSYS Meshing is a general-purpose, intelligent, automated high-performance product. It
produces the most appropriate mesh for accurate, efficient multiphysics solutions. A mesh well
suited for a specific analysis can be generated with a single mouse click for all parts in a model.
Full controls over the options used to generate the mesh are available for the expert user who
wants to fine-tune it. The power of parallel processing is automatically used to reduce the time
you have to wait for mesh generation.
Delamination is currently not supported with for elements with triangular elements on the
interface, so had to avoid using tetrahedral or prism elements. Mesh type used is quadrilaterals
and the total nodes is 5000, elements are 3528.
Figure 3: Model in static structural
In static structural fixed support and remote force on the specimen are added.
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Directional deformation can be put as the displacement of the system in a particular axis or user
defined direction. Total deformation is the vector sum of all directional displacements of the
systems. In the present work, the directional deformation is considered in Y-direction.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The delamination test is done with the help of ANSYS workbench and ANSYS ACP module, the
delamination of different composites is done individually. The different composite laminates
investigated are:
1. Epoxy Carbon Woven Laminate
2. Epoxy Kevlar Woven Laminate
3. Epoxy Carbon Kevlar Hybrid Woven Laminate
4. Nano Composite of Carbon Woven Laminate
3.1 Analysis for Epoxy Carbon Woven Laminate
Figure 4: Deformation (Extension in Y-direction) of Carbon Laminate for
applied force of 100N
Table 1: Maximum Deformation values of Epoxy Carbon Woven Laminate
Time Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
(s) deformation deformation deformation deformation deformation deformation
(mm) for (mm) for (mm) for (mm) for (mm) for (mm) for
Force of Force of Force of Force of Force of Force of
15N 30N 45N 60N 75N 100N
1 0.2 0.386 0.773 1.160 1.548 1.934 2.58
2 0.4 0.773 1.54 2.322 3.096 3.872 5.166
3 0.7 1.354 2.709 4.066 5.424 6.783 9.0524
4 1 1.934 3.872 5.813 7.755 9.699 12.949
From the tabulated properties it is found that there is a linear increase of deformation with
applied force.
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3.2 Analysis for Epoxy Kevlar Woven Laminate
Figure 5: Deformation (Extension in Y-direction) of Kevlar Laminate for
applied force of 100N
Table 2: Maximum Deformation values of Epoxy Kevlar Woven Laminate
Time Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
(s) deformatio deformatio deformation deformation deformation deformatio
n (mm) for n (mm) for (mm) for (mm) for (mm) for n (mm) for
Force of Force of Force of Force of Force of Force of
15N 30N 45N 60N 75N 100N
1 0.2 0.349 0.699 1.049 1.366 1.749 3.33
2 0.4 0.699 1.399 2.099 2.8002 3.503 4.67
3 0.7 1.224 2.449 3.676 4.904 6.131 8.183
4 1 1.749 3.50 5.254 7.011 8.7684 11.70
From the tabulated properties it is found that there is a linear increase of deformation with
applied force.
3.3 Analysis for Epoxy Carbon Kevlar Hybrid Woven Laminate
Figure 6: Deformation (Extension in Y-direction) of Carbon Kevlar Hybrid Laminate for
applied force of 100N
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International Journal of Scientific Research and Review ISSN NO: 2279-543X
Table 3: Maximum Deformation values of Carbon Kevlar Hybrid Laminate
Time Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
(s) deformatio deformati deformation deformatio deformatio deformation
n (mm) for on(mm) (mm) for n(mm) for n (mm) for (mm) for
Force of for Force Force of Force of Force of Force of
15N of 30N 45N 60N 75N 100N
1 0.2 0.3418 0.680 1.020 1.361 1.701 2.269
2 0.4 0.68 1.361 2.042 2.724 3.405 4.543
3 0.7 1.191 2.383 3.576 4.771 5.965 7.961
4 1 1.701 3.405 5.112 6.821 8.531 11.389
From the tabulated properties it is found that there is a linear increase of deformation with
applied force.
3.4 Analysis for NanoComposite of Carbon Woven Laminate
Figure 7: Deformation (Extension in Y-direction) of Nano Composite of Carbon Laminate for
applied force of 100N
Table 4: Maximum Deformation values of Carbon Woven and Nano resin mixture laminate
S.No Time Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
(s) deformation deformation deformati- deformation deformation deformati-
(mm) for (mm) for on (mm) (mm) for (mm) for on (mm)
Force of Force of for Force Force of Force of for Force
15N 30N of 45N 60N 75N of 100N
1 0.2 0.380 0.760 1.141 1.522 1.903 2.538
2 0.4 0.760 1.522 2.284 3.046 3.808 5.081
3 0.7 1.331 2.665 3.998 5.335 6.671 8.903
4 1 1.903 3.808 5.717 7.628 9.54 12.736
It is found that there is a linear increase of deformation with applied force. The deformation
values are found to be highest for carbon laminates, and are lowest for Carbon-kevlar hybrid
laminates. It is found that among carbon and nano-carbon composite laminates, nano-carbon
composite is found to have more strength. Among all the four composite laminates, carbon-
kevlar hybrid laminate is found to have more strength, interlaminar bonding. This might be
attributed to have combined properties of kevlar and carbon.
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4. CONCLUSIONS
Different types of composite laminates (Carbon, Kevlar, Carbon-Kevlar Hybrid, nano-carbon)
are prepared and delamination analysis is carried out. From the numerical and experimental
investigation, the following conclusions are drawn:
The property values are found to be highest for Carbon-Kevlar Hybrid laminates, and are lowest
for Carbon laminates. It is found that among carbon and nano-carbon composite laminates, nano-
carbon composite is found to have more strength. Among all the four composite laminates,
carbon-kevlar hybrid laminate is found to have more strength, interlaminar bonding. This might
be attributed to have combined properties of kevlar and carbon. Extension value for kevlar was
only done for the average of 3 specimens due to lack of results.
REFERENCES
1) K.D. Murphy and J.M. Nichols U.S, “Modeling and detection of delamination damage in
composite structures”, Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc., IMAC-XXVII, February
9-12, 2009.
2) P K Parhi, S K Bhattacharyya and P K Sinha, “Failure analysis of multiple delaminated
composite plates due to bending and impact”, Bull. Mater. Sci., Vol. 24, No. 2, April
2001, pp. 143–149.
3) David C. Fleming, “Delamination modeling of composites for improved crash analysis”,
Aerospace Engineering Program, NAG-I-2061, 5/1/98-5/19/99.
4) D.M. Hoyt, Stephen H. Ward and Pierre L. Minuguet, “Strength and fatigue life
modeling of bonded joints in composite structure”, Advances in Mechanical Engineering,
Volume 2013, Article ID 658219.
5) Arai, M.; Noro.Y, Sugimoto, K.I.; Endo. M, Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture
toughness of CFRP laminates toughened by carbon nano fiber interlayer”, Compos. Sci.
Technol. 2008, 68, 516–525.
6) Abrate S., “Machining of Composite Materials”, Composites Engineering Handbook, P.
K. Mallick, Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 777-809, 1997.
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