Micromechanics based analysis of randomly distributed fiber reinforced composites using simplified unit cell model

The geometry of the simplified unit cell (SUC) model [Aghdam MM, Smith DJ, Pavier MJ. Finite element micromechanical modeling of yield and collapse behavior of metal matrix composites. J Mech Phys Solids 48 (2000) 499-528] is extended to study effects of random fiber arrangement on the mechanical and thermal characterizations of unidirectional composites. The representative volume element (RVE) considered in the model consists of an r × c unit cells in which fibers are surrounded randomly by matrix cells. The presented model is general and can be used to predict the behavior of a fibrous composite subjected to thermal and mechanical, normal and shear, loading. The model also is capable of analyzing various combinations of these loading conditions such as off-axis test of unidirectional coupons. Both random and repeating fiber arrays can be considered in the model. Results for the overall thermal and elastic properties of a SiC/Ti metal matrix composite (MMC) show good agreement with both the finite element and other analytical models with repeating fiber arrays. Results of transverse properties also revealed that hexagonal array assumption for fiber arrangement is more realistic than square array assumption.