Phase field predictions of microscopic fracture and R-curve behaviour of fibre-reinforced composites

We present a computational framework to explore the effect of microstructure and constituent properties upon the fracture toughness of fibre-reinforced polymer composites. To capture microscopic matrix cracking and fibre-matrix debonding, the framework couples a phase field fracture method and a cohesive zone model in the context of the finite element method. Virtual single-notched three point bending tests on fibre reinforced composites are...