Damage initiation and progression in uni-directional continuous polymer composites at the microscale has been investigated by considering a 3D Repeating Unit Cell (RUC) with square distribution of fibers. Three damage modes under static loading have been looked at, viz., matrix damage, fiber failure and fiber-matrix debonding. The matrix has been modeled as an isotropic elastic-plastic material via a user material subroutine (UMAT) within the framework of the finite element software Abaqus. In addition, fiber-matrix debonding has been simulated using a traction-separation criterion via Cohesive Zone Modeling (CZM) approach. Finally, a user defined field (USDFLD) has been used to simulate the fiber breakage. The combined effect of matrix-damage, fiber failure and interfacial debonding has then been studied using homogenization principles. Preliminary results from the current modeling approach have been found to be encouraging and this approach paves way for more complex multi-scale damage simulations in heterogeneous materials.

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