Modeling Flexural Failure in Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Flexural testing provides a rapid and straightforward assessment of fiber-reinforced composites’ performance. In many high-strength composites, flexural strength is higher than compressive strength. A finite-element model was developed to better understand this improvement in load-bearing capability predict the three different carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite systems. The validated against publicly available experimental data verified using theory. Different failure criteria are evaluated with respect their ability composites under loading. Tsai–Wu criterion best explains data. An expansion stress limit for all systems observed explained by compression from loading roller Poisson’s effects.