Tensile Behaviour and Damage Mechanisms of Recycled Carbon Fiber Patch Composites (CFPCs) using Abaqus

This project focused on simulating the tensile behaviour and damage mechanisms of recycled carbon fibre patch composites (CFPCs) using Abaqus/Standard. The aim was to model interfacial delamination and progressive failure by implementing cohesive zone modelling (CZM). Cohesive surface interactions were used to capture damage between overlapping patches, while cohesive elements were applied between plies to represent delamination.

The simulation successfully reproduced failure initiation and progression, showing how stresses transfer through the material and how interfacial separation develops under tensile loading. Although recycled patch composites cannot match the peak strength of continuous fibre laminates, the study confirmed their potential as a sustainable and structurally viable alternative for reusing carbon fibre waste.

The key benefit of this simulation is that it provides predictive insight into damage and failure behaviour, reduces reliance on costly experimental testing, and establishes a validated modelling framework for future design improvements. The use of Abaqus/Standard was central, as it enabled efficient nonlinear analysis, accurate implementation of cohesive laws, and stable convergence in progressive damage modelling.