The mechanics of dynamic fiber push-out: Experimental and numerical study

This paper summarizes our recent progress on the experimental and numerical study of dynamic debonding and frictional push-out in composite systems. A modified split Hopkinson pressure bar system is adopted to perform dynamic fiber push-out experiments on model single fiber composite systems. A cohesive/volumetric finite element scheme is developed to capture the initiation and propagation of the crack along the fiber/matrix interface. Interface properties are extracted by comparison between experimental and numerical results. Effects of loading rate and surface roughness are presented. The results indicate that the combination of the experimental and numerical analysis constitutes a valuable tool to study the failure process in composites under high loading rates.