Fracture mechanics of model fiber composites
Fracture of matrix material caused by a tensile break in a fiber was investigated. A model was constructed, consisting of two inextensible fibers touching end-to-end and embedded in an elastic block. Energy release rates were calculated by FEA for a circular crack growing outwards from the point where the fiber ends separated as they were pulled apart. The results are compared with experimental observations on steel rod/silicone resin systems. It is found that, when a fiber breaks, a circular crack grows outward in a stable way under increasing load. After the crack reaches a certain size, approximately halfway to the edge of the resin block, the strain energy release reaches a minimum value and then increases, and the crack accelerates. The force required to propagate a crack is predicted successfully by linear elastic fracture mechanics at all stages of crack growth. In particular, good agreement was obtained with the maximum force that the system could support - the breaking load. Fracture of fiber composites under shear deformation was simulated by applying a tension to the rod in a bush mounting.
- Research Organization:
- Akron Univ., OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7038371
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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