Experimental and Numerical Simulation Studies of Failure Behaviour of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Aluminium Laminates under Transverse Local Quasi-static Loading

This paper investigated the failure behaviour of medium thick carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates (CARALL) panels under transverse local quasi-static contact crush experimentally and numerically. Four types of CARALL specimens with a 3/2 configuration were manufactured by hot-pressing process using two type of aluminium alloys (2024-T3, 7075-T6 aluminium alloy) and CFRPs with different lay-up ([0°/90°/0°]3, [45°/0°/-45°]3). Three dimensional Hashin progressive failure model in quadratic strain form with damage evolution laws defined by subroutine VUMAT based on ABAQUS was used to simulate the composite layers. The bilinear cohesive contact model was used to predict interfacial failure. Aluminium alloys were defined by Johnson-Cook model. Numerical predictions composing of load-deflection curves and failure mode were matched closely with experimental results. The results of the analysis shown that delamination in CFRP/Al interfaces was the initial damage of the tested CARALL panels. Matrix failure occurred after the delamination closely. The maximum load bearing was determined by fracture of aluminium alloy. Fibre breakage was responsible for complete failure of specimens.