A MICROMECHANICS MODEL FOR COMPRESSIVE FAILURE OF UNIDIRECTIONAL FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS

In this paper a method is presented for predicting the compressive str ength of unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastics. Initial fibre misal ignment and nonlinear shear response are included in the model which i s based on a combination of other published methods. Predictions are s hown to compare well with test data from an improved test method for c arbon fibre-reinforced materials; one with an epoxy matrix and one wit h a PEEK matrix. Acceptable predictions are shown to depend on an appr opriate assessment for fibre misalignment. The influence on compressiv e strength of moisture uptake by the composite was seen to be correctl y predicted by the model.