Novel Formulations for Higher-Order Bounds on Effective Transverse Elastic Moduli of Three-Phase Cylindrical Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract

A higher-order multiscale structure for three-phase composites containing randomly located yet unidirectionally aligned circular fibers is proposed to predict effective transverse elastic moduli based on the probabilistic spatial distribution of circular fibers, the pairwise fiber interactions, and the ensemble-area multi-level homogenization method. Specifically, the two inhomogeneity phases feature distinct elastic properties and sizes. In the special event, two-phase composites with same elastic properties and sizes of fibers are studied. Two non-equivalent micromechanical formulations are considered to derive effective transverse elastic moduli of two-phase composites leading to new higher-order bounds. Furthermore, the effective transverse elastic moduli for an incompressible matrix containing randomly located and identical circular rigid fibers and voids are derived. It is demonstrated that significant improvements in the singular problems and accuracy are achieved by the proposed methodology. Numerical examples and comparisons among our theoretical predictions, available experimental data, and other analytical predictions are rendered to illustrate the potential of the present method.