Localized Load-Sharing Rules and Markov-Weibull Fibers: A Comparison of Microcomposite Failure Data with Monte Carlo Simulations

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations are compared with strength data from carbon fibers and composites made from similar fibers, in order to investigate several issues concerning the failure of fibrous composite materials under tensile load. Failure of,"bundles" consisting of up to 1000 fibers under several different localized load-sharing rules and two different models for fiber strength is simulated, and the chain-of-bundles model is used to simulate tows of varying gauge lengths. The relationships of composite strength, Weibull shape inflation and ineffective length are investigated for the new models. The issues of volume effects and critical crack growth are also discussed.

Keywords

carbon fibers tows carbon composite chain-of-bundles model ineffective length volume effect composite effect Weibull shape inflation critical crack size

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