On the Deformation Theory of a Class of Randomly Structured Composite Systems

Abstract

The mechanical response of a two-dimensional fiber-composite system is considered with the inclusion of the microstructure. The material system is seen as a viscoelastic matrix which contains a layer of randomly oriented, short elastic fibers. In this approach, the mechanics of the discrete microstructure introduce the relevant field quantities as random variables or functions of such variables and their corresponding distribution functions. The analysis is presented in a general form and could be applicable to a large class of randomly structured composite systems.