Modelling on stress redistribution around broken fibers for fiber reinforced plastic with poor fiber distribution uniformity

Abstract

In order to calculate stress redistribution after a fiber breaking for unidirectional fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) with practically poor fiber distribution uniformity, a new and efficient FE model is developed with high computation efficiency. Based on the proposed FE model, the stress concentration factor (SCF) of intact fibers around a broken fiber is investigated for unidirectional FRP. It is observed that the SCF depends heavily on the local fiber volume ratio (FVR), and a modified analytical SCF model is proposed which takes into account the variation of local FVR. It is proved that the modified analytical SCF model can provide SCF values with much better accuracy for FRP with poor fiber distribution uniformity. The modified analytical SCF model would be very useful for accurate prediction of progressive fiber breaking in FRP.