Novel multiscale modeling strategy for hybrid fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

Hybrid fiber-reinforced plastic (HFRP) composites exhibit tremendous merits in terms of a balanced design between cost and performance. Despite their advantages, there is still a lack of efficient design methods to cope with energy-absorbing design problems, which has hindered their large-scale application. This study aims to develop a novel multiscale modeling strategy for HFRP composites and achieve a micro–meso–macro matched structural design. Specifically, a series of bending tests were performed on several carbon-fiber/glass-fiber hybrid composite plates and hat-shaped beams to explore the effects of the hybrid scheme, hybrid ratio, and stacking sequence on their mechanical performance. Subsequently, a novel multiscale model based on the micromechanics of failure criterion with new damage evolution laws was developed to perform a multiscale collaborative design for intralayer hybrid composite beams. A comparative analysis was performed to explore the influence of the multiscale design variables on the mechanical performance. The results indicated that intralayer hybrid composite plates and beams with a stacking sequence of [C0/G90]₈ had significant advantages in flexural modulus, flexural strength, and energy absorption compared with their single fiber composite counterparts. It was also found that the higher the proportion of carbon fiber yarns in the horizontal direction and glass fiber yarns in the vertical direction, the greater was the energy absorption of the intralayer hybrid composite beams. The proposed multiscale modeling strategy was not only an effective supplement to traditional multiscale modeling methods, but also made it possible to perform multiscale collaborative optimization of HFRP composites.