Numerical study of effective elastic properties of fiber reinforced composites with rhombic cell arrangements and imperfect interface

This paper deals with the behavior of unidirectional fiber composites, where on micro scale the reinforcement and the filler are connected by imperfect interface conditions. It is assumed, that the microstructure is periodic and their phases have isotropic and transversely isotropic properties, respectively. The fibers are distributed in such a way, that the microstructure is characterized by a rhomb. By using the concept of a representative volume element (RVE) a finite element model is created, which combines the rhombic distribution of fiber and imperfect contact conditions (spring type) between the phases. Periodic boundary conditions are applied to the RVE, so that effective material properties can be derived. The presented homogenization technique is validated by comparing results with theoretical approach reported in the literature as far as possible.