Estimating the mode I through-thickness intralaminar <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si148.svg" display="inline" id="d1e1917"><mml:mi mathvariant="script">R</mml:mi></mml:math>-curve of unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced polymers using a micromechanics framework combined with the size effect method

A three-dimensional micromechanics framework is developed to estimate the mode I through-thickness intralaminar crack resistance curve of unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced polymers. Finite element models geometrically-scaled single edge notch tension specimens were generated. These modelled following a combined micro-/meso-scale approach, where region at vicinity tip describes microstructure material, while regions far from represent mesoscopic linear-elastic behaviour composite. This work presents novel methodology fracture properties composite materials by combining computational with size effect method. The law and consequently curve, are estimated through numerically calculated peak stresses. In-depth parametric analyses, which hard conduct empirically, undertaken, allowing for quantitative qualitative comparisons be successfully made experimental numerical observations taken literature.