Mapping of stress distribution in woven‐fabric composites

Abstract

AbstractMapping of the stress distribution in composite materials, both at the fiber/matrix interface and in the composite constituents, is important to understand the material mechanical response. Stress mapping can help predict composite behavior under certain stresses especially failure or delamination. In this work, two analytical models were proposed to map the stress distribution at fiber, matrix and fiber/matrix interface utilizing the concept of stress superposition. The first model dealt with the fiber in the longitudinal direction considering axisymmetric conditions. The second model addressed the fiber stress distribution in the transverse direction. Experimental data from four‐point flexural tests of woven fabric composites was processed using the Graphical Integrated Numerical Analysis (pcGINA) to obtain the maximum stress in the target laminate and this value was used as the input for the two analytical models. The value for the maximum interfacial shear stress was calculated using the models and results were compared to pull‐out fiber test values obtained from literature. Good agreement was observed between the model calculations and the literature data. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers