Analytical Model for Transverse Tensile Strength Prediction of Thermoset Composites

Abstract

Evaluating the transverse tensile response of Polymer Matrix Composite (PMCs) is an extremely challenging problem since it is greatly influenced by the stress concentration induced within the composite microstructures by random fiber inclusions. This study presents a novel methodology to develop an analytical solution for transverse composite strength prediction. A computational micromechanical study of composite microstructures with varying fiber volume fraction is carried out to accurately predict their transverse strength. Local stress concentration in composites due to fiber inclusion is investigated and a global stress concentration factor for each analyzed microstructure is quantified using statistical descriptor. Transverse composite strengths from FE simulations are expressed as a function of the constituent properties and the global stress concentration factors to derive a material system-specific analytical relation.