Models for Fiber-Matrix Composites with Local Load Sharing

Abstract

Because of their high strength to weight ratios, fiber composites are increasingly used to replace steel or aluminum in practice. This paper presents various models for analyzing fiber matrix composites that share load among fibers. The most important practical models are those that represent the load sharing as local around failed fibers. Two methods of analysis are discussed. The first, due to Harlow and Phoenix, is a very powerful and virtually exact method for one particular model of interest. The second method is an asymptotic technique based on extreme value theory. Although less powerful than the Harlow-Phoenix method, the second method has much greater scope for generalization to other models, and some of these generalizations are described. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of experimental evidence and plans for future experiments.