Cohesive parametric high-fidelity-generalized-method-of-cells micromechanical model

The Parametric High-Fidelity-Generalized-Method-of-Cells (PHFGMC) micromechanical model is extended to include refined local cohesive formulation for simulating weak discontinuities in multiphase composites. The nonlinear parametric HFGMC governing equations are obtained from a two-layered (local-global) virtual work principle and solved using a new incremental-iterative formulation. This offers computational efficiency over previously published work on HFGMC since the system of equations is symmetric. In addition, this formulation enables implementing advanced traction-separation laws available in the literature and allows maintaining the symmetric matrix structure for computational efficiency. Two cohesive zone models were integrated with the PHFGMC with unique nonlinear formulation. These were the non-potential model proposed by Camanho and Davila (CD) and the potential based PPR model. This paper presents the newly verified modeling approach with the new cohesive capabilities. New PHFGMC-Cohesive results are shown to be in good agreement with those from a finite element analysis for various configurations and loading patterns. Progressive damage in composites using the PHFGMC-Cohesive model is also demonstrated.