Implementation of Peridynamic Theory to LS-DYNA for Prediction of Crack Propagation in a Composite Lamina

Composite materials are commonly used in aerospace and automotive industry due to their high specific strengths. However, damage tolerance assessment of composite parts is done experimentally since there is no single criterion that is capable of predicting all of the failure modes. Thus numerical estimation of crack propagation in composite structures has been considered as an important research topic in academia and especially in aerospace industry. Composite materials are sensitive to stress raisers such as fastener holes and defects. Peridynamics is a nonlocal theory that overcomes the limitations of classical continuum mechanics caused by discontinuities in the structure like cracks and voids. By this aspect, Peridynamic theory differs from conventional finite element analysis. This paper focuses on crack propagation in fiber reinforced composite structures by implementing the bond-based Peridynamic Theory to LS-DYNA software. Peridynamic models of a composite plate with circular cutout are generated by implementing Peridynamic theory into LS-DYNA. Crack propagation under tensile load is investigated. To prepare the Peridynamic model, truss elements and mass elements are used in LS-DYNA. Numerical results are verified by comparing the experimental and numerical results from literature. Keywords: Peridynamics, crack propagation, LS-DYNA, composite structures, truss elements, mass elements