Effective mechanical properties of unidirectional composites in the presence of imperfect interface

Abstract

In this paper, the equivalent inclusion method is implemented to estimate the effective mechanical properties of unidirectional composites in the presence of an imperfect interface. For this purpose, a representative volume element containing three constituents, a matrix, and interface layer, and a fiber component, is considered. A periodic eigenstrain defined in terms of Fourier series is then employed to homogenize non-dilute multi-phase composites. In order to take into account the interphase imperfection effects on mechanical properties of composites, a stiffness parameter in terms of a matrix and interphase elastic modulus is introduced. Consistency conditions are also modified accordingly in such a way that only the part of the fiber lateral stiffness is to be effective in estimating the equivalent composite mechanical properties. Employing the modified consistency equations together with the energy equivalence relation leads to a set of linear equations that are consequently used to estimate the average values of eigenstrain in non-homogeneous phases. It is shown that for composites with both soft and hard reinforcements, largest stiffness parameter that indicates complete fiber–matrix interfacial debonding causes the same equivalent lateral properties.