A phase-field framework for anisotropic viscoelastic-viscoplastic fracture in short fiber-reinforced polymers in hygrothermal environments

2026-03-03

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of modeling the anisotropic viscoelastic–viscoplastic fracture behavior of short-fiber-reinforced polymers (SFRPs) under hygrothermal conditions by proposing a unified phase-field fracture framework. For the first time, this framework couples hygrothermal effects, a finite-deformation viscoelastic–viscoplastic constitutive model, and a structural-tensor-based anisotropic fracture energy formulation. By multiplicatively decomposing the deformation gradient, incorporating hygrothermal expansion, and introducing environment-sensitive material parameters, the model accurately captures the dominant influence of multiple fiber orientations on crack driving force distribution and path deflection. Numerical simulations successfully reproduce the complex crack evolution in SFRPs under hygrothermal loading, quantifying the effects of fiber orientation and hygrothermal degradation on peak load, fracture energy, and crack trajectories, thereby significantly enhancing damage prediction accuracy.

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Abstract

This work presents a comprehensive phase-field framework for modeling anisotropic viscoelastic-viscoplastic fracture in short fiber-reinforced polymer (SFRP) composites under hygrothermal environments at finite deformation. The constitutive model employs a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into viscoelastic and viscoplastic components. An anisotropic phase-field formulation is developed using structural tensors to capture orientation-dependent fracture energy induced by multiple fiber families. Hygrothermal effects are incorporated through moisture-dependent swelling, thermal expansion, and temperature- and moisture-sensitive material parameters within the coupled framework. Numerical investigations demonstrate the framework's capability to capture complex fracture phenomena in SFRPs. Results reveal that fiber orientation fundamentally governs the spatial distribution of crack driving force, with maximum energy accumulation along fiber directions persisting throughout viscous relaxation. The anisotropy parameter controlling directional fracture resistance significantly influences crack path deflection. Hygrothermal degradation substantially reduces both peak load and fracture energy, with moisture absorption and elevated temperature each contributing to decreased mechanical performance. The framework captures the influence of fiber mechanical properties on global load-bearing capacity and crack propagation resistance. This unified computational framework advances the predictive modeling of damage evolution in SFRPs subjected to realistic environmental and mechanical loading conditions.

Problem

• anisotropic fracture
• viscoelastic-viscoplastic
• short fiber-reinforced polymers
• hygrothermal environment
• phase-field

Innovation

• phase-field
• anisotropic fracture
• viscoelastic-viscoplastic
• short fiber-reinforced polymers
• hygrothermal effects