An elastic-plastic stress analysis of metal-matrix composite beam loaded transversely

An elastic-plastic stress analysis has been carried out in a stainless stee l fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite beam. The beam is loaded by a single force at its free end. The composite material is assumed perfectly p lastic to simplify the investigation. An exact solution is given for the el astic and elastic-plastic regions. Orientation angles of the fiber are chos en as 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees. The pla stic zone expands at the upper side of the beam more than at the lower side for 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 60 degrees orientation angles. Residual str ess components of sigma (x) and tau (xy) are found in the sections of the b eam. The plastic collapse occurs at the different points for the beam of 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees orientation angl es.