A phenomenologically based damage model for textile composites with crimped reinforcement

A phenomenological damage model for textile composites with woven or braided reinforcement is presented and verified in this paper. Essential mechanical questions are clarified with regard to the dominant damage mechanisms and the definition of representative equivalent layers. Using the framework of continuum damage mechanics, damage is defined as the change of the tensor of elasticity. The initiation of damage is described using novel failure criteria based on the Failure-Mode-Concept. Damage variables and associated evolution laws are introduced to describe the subsequent degradation of the material stiffness. The capability of the proposed model is shown for woven thermoplastic composites made of hybrid glass–polypropylene yarns.