Micromechanical Modeling of FRCs Containing Matrix Cracks and Partially Debonded Fibers

Abstract

This study is concerned with the treatment of the dynamic antiplane failure behavior of fiber reinforced composites involving matrix cracks and partially-debonded fibers. The matrix/fiber interphase was modeled as a thin interfacial layer with varying elastic modulus. The steady-state theoretical solution of this class of problems is formulated using a newly developed pseudo-incident wave method, thus reducing the original interaction problem into the solution of coupled single fiber/crack solutions. By using Fourier transform technique and solving the resulting singular integral equations, the dynamic stress intensity factor at the matrix crack was obtained analytically. Numerical examples were provided to show the effect of the location and material property of fibers, the size of debonded layer, and the frequency of the incident wave upon the dynamic stress intensity factors of the matrix crack.