APPLICATION OF GPS TENSORS TO FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITES

In this paper we propose a pair of two new tensors called GPS tensors S and D for the concentric cylindrical inclusion problem. GPS tenser S relates the strain in the inclusion constrained by the matrix of fini te radius to the uniform transformation strain (eigenstrain), whereas tenser D relates the strain in the matrix to the same eigenstrain. The tensorial form of relationship to the inclusion problem allows us to derive explicit expressions for a larger class of transformation probl ems, including thermal residual stress problems. Since GPS tensors tak e the fiber volume fraction into account explicitly, we are able to st udy the effect of matrix properties and fiber volume fraction on the s patial distribution of thermal residual stress. GPS tensors are also u sed in the evaluation of effective material properties by using the se lf-consistent method. Very good agreement between analytical results u sing GPS tensors and experimental data is observed for graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites.