A MICROMECHANICAL MODEL FOR THE PREDICTION OF THE LAMINA LONGITUDINALCOMPRESSION STRENGTH OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES

This paper describes a new numerical model for the prediction of the l amina longitudinal compression strength. The model assumes failure occ urs by fibre microbuckling and takes into account initial fibre misali gnments and matrix non-linear stress-strain behaviour. The results obt ained with the 2D-base and the 3D-extended formulations agree quite we ll. with those of Finite Element models presented in a previous paper. Model predictions were compared with experimental data supplied by th e authors' partners in a Joint Research Project. The 3D formulation pr oved to be the most accurate. Agreement with the experimental data is satisfactory, particularly in view of the numerous relevant variables and inevitable simplifications implicit in the models.