THE EFFECTIVE TRANSVERSE MODULI OF A COMPOSITE WITH DEGRADED FIBER-MATRIX INTERFACES

A Generalized Self Consistent Model (GSCM) is applied to a composite c ontaining multiple-coated fibers and the general solution for this mod el subject to a constant transverse shear loading at infinity is deriv ed. The effective transverse shear modulus of the composite is determi ned through the use of the equality of the strain energy in the inhomo geneous composite and the equivalent homogeneous medium. The stress fi eld at the interface of a metal matrix composite under the same loadin g condition is calculated. In addition, the reduction in the transvers e bulk and shear stiffnesses of the fiber-matrix interface in a cerami c composite subject to materials degradation is determined through inv ersion of the known or measured values of its effective elastic consta nts. The stability of the inversion process is examined as well.