Vishnu, O.S.Pavan, G.S.2026-02-082025Springer Proceedings in Materials, 2025, Vol.72, , p. 39-5026623161https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2025.108764https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/33490Carbon/carbon (C/C) composites are frequently employed in aerospace industries because of their outstanding mechanical properties at high temperatures. This study proposes a progressive damage development model for unidirectional C/C composites. C/C composite consists of carbon fibers and pyrolytic carbon matrix. A Representative Volume Element (RVE) incorporating the microstructural features is generated based on the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of the C/C composite samples. The composite constituents, namely carbon fiber and pyrolytic carbon matrix, are modeled explicitly inside the RVE, and failure criteria are provided for the individual constituents. The damage model used in this study comprises damage initiation and evolution criteria. The carbon fibers are inserted inside the RVE using the Random Sequential Adsorption algorithm (RSA). The carbon fiber is modeled as a transversely isotropic material, and the damage initiation is based on the maximum stress criteria. The carbon matrix is considered as an isotropic material, and damage initiation inside the carbon matrix is based on modified von Mises stress criteria. The damage evolution criteria, which depend on the fracture energy of the material, are used to predict the post-peak behavior of the components following the onset of damage. The non-linear damage behavior of unidirectional C/C composite is studied under axial tensile loading conditions. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.Carbon/Carbon compositesMaximum stress criteriaRandom sequential adsorption algorithmRepresentative volume elementvon Mises stress criteria