Micromechanical Modeling of Composites for Shear and Transverse Properties

Abstract

An accurate micromechanical material model for predicting a composite’s elastic properties is desired in order to determine the potential structural and economic benefits of an advanced resin system for the construction of wind turbine blades. A MATLAB script and GUI are implemented for the determination of composite laminate properties based upon the properties of the individual matrix and reinforcement, as well as the fiber volume fraction. An advanced model based on periodic boundary conditions is compared with classical rule of mixture models and a composite cylinder model. The predicted properties of available systems are verified using a database of experimental results. This material model can be exported and used in finite element analysis to determine the structural effects and economic potential of a high performance resin (or reinforcement) with improved properties.