Author(s)

F. Paris, J.C. del Cano & J. Vama

Abstract

Fibre reinforced composites develop cracks at the interface between fibres and matrix when loaded trans versally to the fibre direction. The calculation of the energy release rate associated to these cracks requires a precise evaluation of the stress state at the neighbourhood of the crack tip. In this paper a BEM analysis of a single fibre transversally loaded and in presence of a debonding between the fibre and the matrix is carried out. The model takes into consideration the possible generation of a contact zone between fibre and matrix in the debonded part and the singular character of the stresses. The presence of residual stresses originated during the curing process is also studied, it being found that the presence of such residua

Keywords