Numerical simulations of carbon/epoxy laminated composites under various loading rates, comparing extended finite element method and cohesive zone modeling

In this research, numerical simulations have been performed for carbon/epoxy laminated composites. Two methods were utilized: the extended finite element method and the cohesive zone modeling approach. In addition, experimental works were done according to the ASTM-D5528 standard for double cantilever beam specimens under Mode I displacement-controlled tensile loading. Besides, the loading rate was considered as 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mm/min. During testing, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera was used to detect the crack length and the initial crack tip opening displacement by the digital image correlation technique. Experimental data were analyzed to find fracture properties by the compliance calibration method, the modified compliance calibration approach, and the modified beam theory. Consequently, there was a good adaptation between numerical and experimental results, obtained by the cohesive zone modeling approach and the extended finite element method, for predicting the maximum force, the energy release rate, and also the initial crack tip opening displacement, under different loading rates. Moreover, the results of the extended finite element method had higher errors than those of the cohesive zone modeling approach.