Three-dimensional finite element simulation of closed delaminations in composite materials

Early stage delaminations in composite materials tend to be closed at rest. Inspection with traditional linear ultrasonic techniques generally fails to diagnose and locate such imperfections. However, if undetected and left untreated, incipient defects may gradually grow within the material and eventually lead to failure of the component. Kissing bonds or clapping contacts inherently demand a non-linear diagnostic method, applying a finite excitation amplitude that is able to overcome an activation threshold to open and close the contact. In order to obtain a better understanding and analysis of the macroscopic non-linear behavior that can be observed at the component level, we developed and investigated the results of a finite element model for a composite material containing a single circular delamination. The model makes use of local node splitting and the non-linear constitutive behavior is implemented by means of spring-damper elements at the delamination interface. The results of this parametric study allow a better insight in the behavior of the excited delamination in experimental conditions, including the appearance of localized subharmonics and harmonics of the excitation frequency. Based on the developed model, two different detection and localization techniques (using either a single frequency or a sweep excitation) were demonstrated to determine position, shape, depth and orientation of one or multiple delaminations.