Author(s)

A.P.S. Selvadurai

Abstract

The present paper examines the influence of creep-induced matrix damage on the mechanical behaviour of a unidirectionally reinforced composite which is subjected to a transverse load. The analysis focuses on the study of the particular case where the fibres have a hexagonal arrangement. A finite element technique is used to examine the influence of isotropic creep damage in the matrix region. The numerical results illustrate the influence of the damage evolution on the transverse creep response of the composite 1 Introduction The transverse strength and stiffness characteristics of unidirectionally reinforced composites are significantly lower than their strength and deformability characteristics in the direction of reinforcements. Although this aspect of the bas

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