A Data Driven Modelling Approach for the Strain Rate Dependent 3D Shear Deformation and Failure of Thermoplastic Fibre Reinforced Composites: Experimental Characterisation and Deriving Modelling Parameters

Abstract

The 3D shear deformation and failure behaviour of a glass fibre reinforced polypropylene in a shear strain rate range of (Formula presented.) is investigated. An Iosipescu testing setup on a servo-hydraulic high speed testing unit is used to experimentally characterise the in-plane and out-of-plane behaviour utilising three specimen configurations (12-, 13- and 31-direction). The experimental procedure as well as the testing results are presented and discussed. The measured shear stress–shear strain relations indicate a highly nonlinear behaviour and a distinct rate dependency. Two methods are investigated to derive according material characteristics: a classical engineering approach based on moduli and strengths and a data driven approach based on the curve progression. In all cases a Johnson–Cook based formulation is used to describe rate dependency. The analysis methodologies as well as the derived model parameters are described and discussed in detail. It is shown that a phenomenologically enhanced regression can be used to obtain material characteristics for a generalising constitutive model based on the data driven approach.