A fast fracture plane orientation search algorithm for Puck's 3D IFF criterion for UD composites

This paper presents a new approach for the search of fracture plane orientation of the Puck's inter-fibre failure (IFF) failure criterion. The application of Puck's 3D IFF criterion in finite element codes has faced some limitations due to the computational effort required for the fracture plane search. For a 3D state of stress, this task has to be accomplished by using a numerical method that includes a great deal of iterations, and normally is very time-consuming. The challenge is therefore to construct algorithms that present reliable results for every stress case and at the same time minimize the number of iterations to reduce the computational time. In this work, a new reliable and more efficient algorithm for the fracture plane angle search is proposed. A total of 5 × 104 random stress states are analyzed using the proposed search algorithm. The accuracy and computational cost of the results are then compared with several algorithms available in the literature. Moreover, the new fracture angle search algorithm is implemented in an ABAQUS/Explicit user-defined material model (VUMAT) which considers the progressive failure of the open hole tensile composite specimens. The model is accurate in replicating the mechanical response and the matrix damage in the specimen.