Computational Simulation of Fracture Behavior Due to Mechanical and Constituent Properties of CFCCs

Abstract

Continuous fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CFCCs) are recently a subject of a lot of research interest due to advantages which are high specific stiffness and strength, high toughness and nonbrittle failure as compared to monolithic ceramics. The basic purpose of the present study is to describe graphically the fracture behavior of CFCCs according to a dependence on constituent properties. In CFCCs, following matrix cracking, intact fibers bridge effects impose closure tractions behind the crack tip that reduce the driving force for further cracking. Thus matrix cracking stress and bridging stress are important. Then the change of fiber volume fraction is given for the matrix cracking stress by the numerical simulation. Numerical simulation are carried out by using a finite element analysis code ANSYS. The double mesh concept is applied to account for fiber and matrix material properties.