Strength probability of unidirectional hybrid composites

A probability strength analysis of an unidirectional three-component hybrid composite (HC) is carried out for the cases of high modulus (HM) fibres and low modulus (LM) elastic fibers regularly embedded in a low elastic modulus matrix. Both single layer intraply and multilayer HC are considered. The fiber strength is assumed to be a random variable with a Weibull distribution. Breaking of the HM fibers are accumulated initially while probability of LM fiber failure is low. Failure modes tend to be covered by the two extreme cases of alternative failure of HM and LM fibers only. These modes can be categorized by using graph technique. Developed are the algorithm for finding the most probable pattern of fiber breaking and method for estimating the strength and fiber damage of a HC. The stress level at which the LM fibers are found to break represents a lower bound of the HC strength. Damage of HM fibers in a three-component HC is much higher than in a two-component HM fibre composite. Negative ‘hybrid effect’ for strength is obtained.     

Fundamental solutions of the theory of unidirectional composites

Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, No. 3, pp. 120–127, May–June, 1992.     

Micromechanics-based constitutive modeling for unidirectional laminated composites

A micromechanics-based constitutive model is developed to predict the effective mechanical behavior of unidirectional laminated composites. A newly developed Eshelby’s tensor for an infinite circular cylindrical inclusion [Cheng, Z.Q., Batra, R.C., 1999. Exact Eshelby tensor for a dynamic circular cylindrical inclusion. J. Appl. Mech. 66, 563–565] is adopted to model the unidirectional fibers and is incorporated into the micromechanical framework. The progressive loss of strength resulting from the partial fiber debonding and the nucleation of microcracks is incorporated into the constitutive model. To validate the proposed model, the predicted effective stiffness of transversely isotropic composites under far field loading conditions is compared with analytical solutions. The constitutive model incorporating the damage models is then implemented into a finite element code to numerically characterize the elastic behavior of laminated composites. Finally, the present predictions on the stress–strain behavior of laminated composite plate containing an open hole is compared with experimental data to verify the predictive capability of the model.     

Global load-sharing model for unidirectional hybrid fibre-reinforced composites

A promising strategy to increase the tensile failure strain of carbon fibre-reinforced composites is to hybridise carbon fibres with other, higher-elongation fibres. The resulting increase in failure strain is known as the hybrid effect. In the present article, a global load-sharing model for hybrid composites is developed and used to carry out a parametric study for carbon/glass hybrids. Hybrid effects of up to 15% increase in failure strain are predicted, corresponding reasonably well to literature data. Scatter in the carbon fibre strength is shown to be crucial for the hybrid effect, while the scatter in glass fibre strength is much less important. In contrast to reports in earlier literature, the ratio of failure strains of the two fibres has only a small influence on the hybrid effect. The results provide guidelines for designing optimal hybrid composites.     

Locally-exact homogenization theory for transversely isotropic unidirectional composites

The locally-exact homogenization theory for unidirectional composites with square periodicity and isotropic phases proposed by Drago and Pindera [18] is extended to architectures with hexagonal symmetry and transversely isotropic phases. The theory employs Fourier series representation for the displacement fields in the fiber and matrix phases in the cylindrical coordinate system that satisfies exactly the equilibrium equations and continuity conditions in the unit cell's interior. The inseparable exterior problem involves satisfaction of periodicity conditions for the hexagonal unit cell geometry demonstrated herein to be readily achievable using the previously introduced balanced variational principle for square geometries. This variational principle plays a key role in the employed unit cell solution, ensuring rapid convergence of the Fourier series coefficients with relatively few harmonic terms, yielding converged homogenized moduli and local stress fields with little computational effort. The solution's stability is illustrated using the dilute case which is shown to reduce to the Eshelby solution regardless of the employed number of harmonic terms. Comparison with published results and predictions of a finite-volume based homogenization in a wide fiber volume range and different fiber/matrix modulus contrast validates the approach's accuracy, and its utility is demonstrated through rapid local stress recovery in a multi-scale application. This extension completes the development of the theory for three important classes of unidirectional reinforcement arrays, thereby providing an efficient alternative to finite-element based homogenization techniques or approximate micromechanical schemes, as well as an efficient standard against which other methods may be compared.     

Cyclic behavior of unidirectional and cross-ply titanium matrix composites

Relatively simple and efficient micromechanical models are used to obtain the uniaxial response of SCS-6/Timetal 21S with [0]₄ and [0/90]_s laminates when subjected to isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) loadings. Features of the modeling that are required to obtain the accurate deformation behavior for this class of materials under these loadings are highlighted. To this end, a comparison is made between the concentric cylinder model and the uniaxial stress model for representing the [0] laminate. The axial stresses from the two models are very similar under mechanical loading. The greatest differences appear under thermal loading alone. The differences on the composite response between a time-independent elastic-plastic and a viscoplastic matrix constitutive model are also examined. The latter is based on the Bodner-Partom unified constitutive model. The [0/90] laminate is treated by adding a parallel element with smeared [90] ply properties to the [0] model and invoking axial strain compatibility as well as stress equilibrium. The proposed constitutive law for the [90] ply includes both matrix viscoplasticity and fiber/matrix separation damage and is based on damage mechanics concepts. The effect of cyclic frequency on TMF behavior is examined. The in-phase TMF life is shown to be very sensitive to frequency due to the relaxation of matrix stress and the attendant increase in fiber stress.     

Brush-like modes of fatigue fracture in unidirectional fibre composites

Fatigue fracture of unidirectional fibre composites under tension along the fibres is discussed with account of the interaction between various mechanisms of damage such as single and multiple fibre ruptures, matrix cracking, and matrix-fibre debonding. The case of brittle fibres and a comparatively weak and ductile matrix is considered that exposes non-conventional modes of fracture, named “brush-like” cracks. Growth of such cracks under cyclic quasistatic loading is studied, and the effect of various factors on the crack growth rate is investigated.     

单向增强玻璃钢复合材料静/动态拉伸实验研究

本文针对单向增强玻璃钢复合材料,进行了一系列静/动态拉伸试验,利用高速摄影与DIC相结合的方法,获得了材料不同方向、不同应变率的应力-应变曲线以及材料在不同方向上的动态失效应变,精确地描述了材料的静/动态拉伸及失效行为。实验结果表明,纤维增强方向在不同应变率(10^-3、10、10^2 s^-1)拉伸应力-应变曲线均存在一个刚度减小的刚度变化点N,变化后的Echanged分别为初始弹性模量Einitial的67.5%、39.0%、21.4%。此材料在不同应变率(10^-3、10、10^2 s^-1)拉伸情况下,纤维增强的方向1上强度最高(分别为608、967、1 123 MPa),方向2强度最低(分别为75、67、58 MPa),方向3强度较低(分别为90、151、221 MPa)。利用高速摄影与DIC相结合的方法,获得了100 s^-1应变率下,不同铺层方向破坏时刻的动态失效参数(方向1~3的动态失效应变分别为0.267、0.078、0.099),可以更加精确地描述此单向增强玻璃钢复合材料的动态失效行为。     

A plane stress formulation for elastic-plastic deformation of unidirectional composites

A plane stress analysis of the elastic-plastic deformation of unidirectional composites is presented. A continuum model based on the solid-mixture concept is selected as the basis for the analysis. Model parameters, including process-dependent variables, are deduced from experiments performed on unidirectional composites. A computer program MET1MAT has been developed accordingly and tested for a few simple in-plane loading cases. Experimental data for uniaxial tests performed in longitudinal and transverse directions and for a few biaxial tests are presented to substantiate the analysis. And, finally, application of the results to laminated metal matrix composites is discussed.     

Nonlinear creep of unidirectional fibrous composites tensioned along the reinforcement

Creep strains in unidirectional organic-fiber-and organic-glass-fiber-reinforced plastics subject to tension in the reinforcement direction are predicted. Based on homogeneity condition and statistical criteria, it is shown that the creep of the composites is essentially nonlinear. To predict creep strains, use is made of a nonlinear creep model based on a modified Rabotnov’s similarity hypothesis for isochrones and of material constants determined from tests on specimens made of a composite as a whole and specimens made of its separate components, the mixing rule applied in the latter case. The calculated results and the experimental data are in satisfactory agreement __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 20–34, May 2007.     

Elasto-plastic constitutive relations of unidirectional fiber composites for cyclic loadings

The clasto-plastic constitutive behaviors of continuous fiber reinforced composites under cyclic loadings are studied by the micromechanics method in which the equal-strain model is used in the fiber direction, the equal-stress model in the other directions. It is supposed that fiber is linearly elastic and matrix is clastic-viscoplastic. The constitutive equations of the matrix are described by Bodner-Partom's unified constitutive theory. Boron/Aluminum composite, as an example, is investigated in detail for an understanding of the stress-strain relations and initial yield behaviors of metal matrix composites. Present results are compared with the experimental data.The project was supported by the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation.     

Effects of voids on postbuckling delamination growth in unidirectional composites

This work examines the effects of manufacturing induced voids on the postbuckling behavior of delaminated unidirectional composites. In the finite element model developed, a through-width delamination is introduced close to one surface of a flat panel, and a void is placed in the delamination plane ahead of each delamination front. The panel is subjected to compression in the fiber direction. The postbuckling delamination growth is studied by calculating the strain energy release rate (SERR) using the virtual crack closure technique. Local stress analyses of the region near the delamination front are also performed to further investigate the void effects. It is found that although the presence of void does not significantly alter the postbuckling transverse displacement of the delaminated panel, the induced stress perturbation by the void affects the SERR. The Mode II SERR as well as the total SERR increase depending on the size of the void and its distance from the delamination front. Since the Mode I SERR shows non-monotonic behavior with the applied load, the effects of voids are studied on its maximum value.     

Shear characterization of unidirectional composites with the off-axis tension test

The influence of end constraints on accurate determination of the intralaminar shear modulusG ₁₂ from an off-axis tension test is examined both analytically and experimentally. The Pagano-Halpin model is employed to illustrate that, when the effect of end constraints is properly considered, the exact expression forG ₁₂ is obtained. When the effect of end constraints is neglected, expressions for the apparent shear modulusG ₁₂ ^* and apparent Young's modulusE _xx ^* are obtained. Numerical comparison for various off-axis configurations and aspect ratios is carried out using typical material properties for graphite/polyimide unidirectional composites. It is demonstrated that the end-constraint effect influences accurate determination ofG ₁₂ more adversely than it affects the laminate Young's modulusE _xx in the low off-axis range. Experimental results obtained from off-axis tests on unidirectional Gr/Pi specimens confirm the above. Based on the presented analytical and experimental evidence, the 45-deg off-axis coupon is proposed for the determination of the intralaminar shear modulusG ₁₂.     

Modeling long-term creep rupture by debonding in unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites

Delayed fracture due to debonding can be observed in many unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites when the fibre/matrix interface experiences creep. The aim of this work is to describe such a phenomenon within the recently proposed modeling framework of transverse isotropy that allows for a neat decomposition of the mechanical behavior into fibre-directional, transverse, and pure shear parts. Specifically, debonding is here chosen to be governed by the tension transverse to the fibres. One can then speak of a mode-I debonding if use is made of the terminology adopted in fracture mechanics. On another hand, the time-dependent response is attributed to the matrix constituent. As the role of this latter is to deform and support stresses primarily in shear, a viscoelastic behavior is introduced that affects solely the pure shear part of the behavior. We show that both characteristics can be easily embedded into the aforementioned formulation. Among others, the occurrence of tertiary creep is made possible to predict. It is otherwise found that the predicted debonding path always propagates along the direction of the fibres in agreement with many experimental observations found in the literature. On the numerical side, the algorithmic treatment of debonding is independent of the one for viscoelasticity. This renders the implementation within the context of the finite element method very easy.     

A variational method for unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites with matrix creep

A variational method is developed for analyzing the matrix creep induced time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles in unidirectional composites. A functional of admissible profiles of fiber stress rate is presented by supposing a fiber broken in matrix as well as a fiber pulled out from matrix. The functional is shown to have the stationary function satisfying an incremental differential equation based on the shear lag assumption. Then, the stationary function is approximately determined by assuming bilinear profiles of fiber stress and a power law of matrix creep, leading to analytical solutions for the time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles. The solutions are verified on the basis of an energy balance equation and a finite difference computation. Moreover, it is shown that the solution for the fiber pull-out model agrees well with an experiment on a single carbon fiber/acrylic model composite if the initial slip at fiber/matrix interface is taken into account. In addition, the solution for the fiber breakage model is used for evaluating the characteristic time in long-term creep rupture of unidirectional composite.