Failure analysis of unidirectional fiber composites under combined axial tension and shear

A method of analysis is proposed for investigating the mechanics of failure of unidirectional, fiber composite materials subjected to axial tension and shear. The mechanisms of failure are assumed to result from the interaction of the applied shear stress and local matrix shear stress concentrations which arise as a result of the scattered fiber breaks that occur throughout the material. Two modes of failure are identified. One is associated with the unstable growth of shear failure regions in the matrix. The other is primarily a tensile failure mode which is influenced by the applied shear. The analysis predicts that a variety of shear-tensile stress failure surfaces are possible, depending on material properties. The results suggest that radical changes in the shape of failure surfaces can occur as the result of environmental effects. This has significant implications for reliability.