Review:A Critical Assessment on the Predictability of 14 Micromechanics Models for the Stiffness and Strength of UD Composites

Abstract

Any micromechanics model initially developed for predicting stiffness (elastic property) of a composite can be used to predict its strength with a reasonable accuracy, as long as the homogenized stresses in the matrix are converted into its true values. A critical assessment on the predictability of 14 famous micromechanics models for stiffness and strength of UD (unidirectional) composites was made in this work against the benchmark data provided in three world-wide failure exercises (WWFEs). Bridging Model exhibited the highest accuracy in both the stiffness and strength predictions. Moreover, it was the only consistent model in the internal stress calculation. Non-consistency implies that a full three-dimensional (3D) approach should be used to predict the effective property of the composite. The paper also showed that the smallest fiber volume in an RVE (representative volume element) led to the best approximation to a composite property.