Three-dimensional analysis of load transfer micro-mechanisms in fibre/matrix composites

Sébastien Blassiau (1, 2) , Alain Thionnet (1, 3) , Anthony R. Bunsell (1)

1 CDM - Centre des Matériaux
2 Gaz de France - Direction de la recherche
3 UB - Université de Bourgogne

This study gives a detailed analysis of load distributions around fibre breaks in a composite. In contrast to other studies reported in the literature, the analysis considers different configurations of composite damage from the failure of a few to the failure of many fibres. The model considers three types of matrix behaviours (elastic, elastic–plastic and viscoelastic) with or without debonding at the broken fibre/matrix interface. In this way, the usual limitations of the finite element approach are overcome so as to take into account the number and interactions of broken fibres whilst maintaining an evaluation of the various fields (stresses in particular).

Mots clés: Fibre matrix interaction; Finite element modelling; Load transfer; Unidirectional composites; Debonding; Damage accumulation

Domaines: Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

Sébastien Blassiau, Alain Thionnet, Anthony R. Bunsell. Three-dimensional analysis of load transfer micro-mechanisms in fibre/matrix composites. Composites Science and Technology, 2009, 69, pp.33-39. ⟨10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.10.041⟩. ⟨hal-00350433⟩