LAUSR

In this work, fibrillation is introduced as an energy absorbing mechanism in the modeling of Kevlar® KM2 single fibers subjected to quasi-static transverse compression. Fibrillation is simulated using a finite element model of the fiber cross-section containing discrete fibrils connected by interfibrillar cohesive zones. Model predictions of nominal stress-strain response for an assumed bilinear cohesive traction-separation interfibrillar behavior are compared to experimental data. Analysis shows that modeling of the microstructural fibril network, represented by a distribution of strong cohesive interactions, is necessary to capture the experimental response. The model provides valuable insight into the unique deformation mechanisms governing fiber fibrillation under transverse compression.