A numerical model for delamination growth simulation in non-crimp fabric composites

In this paper, a novel finite-element tool, for the simulation of delamination growth in non-crimp fabric (NCF) composite materials, is presented. The proposed finite-element tool is based on the stiffness averaging method (SAM), on the modified virtual crack closure technique (MVCCT) and on the penalty method (PM); all these methods have been implemented in the research oriented B2000 finite-element code. The stiffness averaging method allows taking into account the effects of the processing variables, which characterize the representative volume element (RVE) of the non-crimp fiber composites (NCF) on their mechanical performances; while the modified virtual crack closure technique is used to determine the strain energy release rate (SERR) for the delamination growth. Already available experimental data on Mode I fracture toughness, obtained by using double cantilever beam (DCB) tests have been employed for validation purpose of numerical procedure. The modeling of DCB tests, considering different geometrical cases, has been performed by means of non-linear analyses. Excellent results in terms of deformed shapes and load-displacement curve, compared with experimental data, are reported to support the validity and the accuracy of the presented computational procedure. Moreover, the ability of the developed tool to take account for the NCF performances variability with processing parameters along with the delamination growth has been assessed and critically discussed.