A micromechanical model for kink-band formation: Part I — Experimental study and numerical modelling

The initiation and propagation of kink-bands are investigated through an experimental study and numerical modelling. Based on the results achieved, the sequence of events and key features for kink-band formation are identified; particularly, matrix yielding is found to play a crucial role in the process, and fibres are found to fail in the compressive side first. The findings from both the experimental and numerical programmes show a remarkable agreement, and are further applied to the development of an analytical model (Part II of this paper) for kink-band formation.