Abstract
This paper examines the possibility of using the Mori-Tanaka micromechanical model describe the rate dependent behavior of the polymer matrix based fibrous composites. The generalized Leonov model is adopted to capture the time and rate dependent character of the selected matrix, while fibers are assumed elastic. The performance of the Mori-Tanaka method is tested against the finite element simulations carried out in the framework of first-order homogenization. For simplicity, the periodichexagonal array model is chosen to represent the microstructural arrangement of fibers in the yarn cross-section. To match the predictions provided by the two approaches a suitable modification to the original Mori-Tanaka method is proposed. An extensive parametric study is presented to illustrate a considerable improvement of the predictive capability of the modified Mori-Tanaka method.
Highlights
Unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites have already found a way into a variety of industrial fields
Despite a random nature of the distribution of fibers in the matrix, visible from images of material cross sections, a periodic hexagonal arrangement (PHA) model [1] is adopted, because for high volume fraction of fibers it has been suggested as sufficiently accurate representation of a statistically homogeneous microstructure [2]
The main goal of this study was to confirm suitability of the Mori-Tanaka method to replace demanding finite element simulations in the prediction of the macroscopic response of fibrous composites
Summary
Unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites have already found a way into a variety of industrial fields For such reasons as low weight, good thermal properties, high corrosion and chemical resistance, high longitudinal stiffness and strength, lower economic and environmental cost compared to other widely used materials, their application appears in aerospace, automotive, marine, and various construction sectors. When limiting attention to elasticity the Mori-Tanaka (MT) method [3] delivers the macroscopic response comparable to finite element (FEM) simulations assuming the PHA model [4]. While attention is primarily accorded to testing the Mori-Tanaka method as a very efficient substitute for a highly expensive finite element method in large scale simulation of textile composites [9], the material model representing the epoxy matrix is mentioned only briefly.
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