A Statistical Theory of Composite Materials Strength

Abstract

A statistical tensile failure theory of composite materials with uniaxially oriented fibers is proposed. In the theory, the strength of fibers is assumed to be a statistical quantity and the fibers around a broken fiber are supposed to be subjected to localized stress concentra tions. The number of broken fibers in a layer of composite as a function of average tensile stress is derived first, and the strength of composite is derived consequently. Comparisons with previous works show better agreement with experimental data.