A DAMAGE MECHANICS MODEL FOR COMPRESSION STRENGTH OF COMPOSITES

A compression strength model based on damage mechanics and a Gaussian distribution of fiber misalignment is presented. The model uses only t hree material parameters-that can be measured by well established meth odologies. The compression strength and all the parameters that enter in the model were measured for the same materials. Predicted values ar e compared to experimental data for eleven different E-glass reinforce d pultruded composites. Theoretical arguments are provided to support the use of damage mechanics and very good correlation is found between theory and experiments. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.