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In this paper, the advanced damage analysis of composite materials and structures made of continuous fibers embedded in a polymer matrix is addressed. The solution is based on the LMS Samtech Samcef finite element code, from Siemens PLM Software, which is now available in the Siemens NX CAE environment, with the specific focus of solving non-linear analysis problems for composites. Globally speaking, LMS Samtech Samcef is an implicit non-linear solver able to solve quasi-static and dynamic problems, with a comprehensive library of structural elements and kinematic joints. First, the sizing strategy based on the building block approach (pyramid of physical and virtual tests) is recalled. Applied for years in the aerospace industry, it is here extended to the automotive context. In this approach, the knowledge on the composite material and structure is built step by step from the coupon level up to the final full scale structure.

The strength characteristic of CFRP composite materials often is dependent on the internal micro-structural fracture mode. Therefore, in order to precisely predict this strength, each fracture mode and its mutual influence must be taken into account in a simulation. In this paper, intra-ply fracture progression and load characteristics of a cyclic loading test were analyzed, utilizing a material model proposed by Ladeveze et al. The model can evaluate different fracture modes and the stiffness degradation resulting from them. The analyzed results were compared with actual test results to confirm the validity of the analysis. Another analysis was performed without considering the mutual influence of the different fracture modes, and the results were compared to discuss the necessity of the coupling.