A methodological approach towards modelling Steel/CF hybrid damage behaviour under bending

This study presents a combined experimental-numerical approach to predict the load-displacement response of a steel/carbon fibre composite in bending-dominated forming. The 3D material and damage model consider the residual strength of kinked fibres through a deviation-based calibration method. For the first time, a special pure bending test that allows controlled forming to specific curvatures is combined with in situ damage analysis to test and calibrate a damage model for hybrid material forming. The results of this study show that the mechanical performance and damage mode in bending depends on the carbon fibre layup orientation and that the model accurately reproduces the load-bearing capacity, the load drop at fibre kinking and the mechanical behaviour post-forming induced damage.