A computational approach to evaluate the mechanical influence of fibres on brittle-matrix composite materials

In the present paper, a computational model for brittle-matrix fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) materials is discussed. The main mechanical phenomena involved, such as matrix cracking, fibre orientation effect, fibre debonding and failure, and fibre–fibre interaction, are modelled by taking into account the micromechanical behaviour of such a class of materials. The developed mechanical model is implemented through a computational approach in the context of the finite element method. The proposed approach seems to be very effective making use of typical mechanical quantities related to the FRC materials (fibre content, strength, orientation, etc.). The results obtained provide useful information on the state of the composite, such as the matrix crack pattern, the effectiveness fibre content, the sliding function, the fibre length at failure.

► A computational model for brittle-matrix fibre-reinforced composites is proposed.
► The main matrix–fibre interaction mechanical phenomena are taken into account.
► Matrix cracking, fibres orientation, debonding, failure and interaction are studied.
► The present model is applied to structural components under static loading.