Abstract
The strength of unidirectionally reinforced fiber composites is simulated
using the three dimensional shear lag model of Landis, C. M., McGlockton,
M. A. and McMeeking, R. M. (1999) (An improved shear lag model for
broken fibers in composites. J. Comp. Mat. 33, 667–680) and Weibull
fiber statistics. The governing differential equations for the fiber
displacements and stresses are solved exactly for any configuration
of breaks using an influence superposition technique. The model predicts
the tensile strength of well bonded, elastic fiber/matrix systems
with fibers arranged in a square array. Length and strength scalings
are used which are relevant for elastic, local load sharing composites.
Several hundred Monte Carlo simulations were executed to determine
the statistical strength distributions of the composite for three
values of the fiber Weibull modulus, m=5, 10 and 20. Stress–strain
behavior and the evolution of fiber damage are studied. Bundle sizes
of 10×10, 15×15, 20×20, 25×25, 30×30 and 35×35 fibers of various
lengths are investigated to determine the dependence of strength
on the composite size. The validity of weakest link statistics for
composite strength is examined as well.
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