An assessment of micromechanical models to predict the elastic constants of unidirectional polymer composites

The accuracy of existent closed-form micromechanical models to predict the five independent elastic constants of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites is assessed. A finite element model is developed to serve as a reference, properly benchmarked against other numerical models and published experimental data, and then used as a baseline for comparison. The detailed numerical analysis of the existent micromechanical models using a formal statistical metric for error quantification allows a quantitative assessment of these models, providing recommendations for the most suited model(s) for each material constant.

Automated summary

The accuracy of existing closed-form micromechanical models in predicting the elastic constants of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites is assessed using a finite element model as a reference for comparison. Detailed numerical analysis with formal statistical metrics allows for quantitative assessment and recommendations for the most suitable models for each material constant.