The Flexural Strength of Aramid Fiber Composites

Abstract

An analysis is presented for the strength in three-point flexural loading of a rectangular unidirectional composite beam reinforced with Keviar® 1 49 aramid fibers. The material behavior is assumed to be linearly elastic in tension and elastic-perfectly plastic in compression. The statistical effects of volume and stress distribution on tensile strength are included in the model. The predicted strength agrees reasonably well with experimental data.