Estimation of strength distribution for a fiber embedded in a single-fiber composite: experiments and statistical simulation based on the elasto-plastic shear-lag approach

The present paper predicts the number of fiber breaks during the single-fiber composite (SFC) test and estimates the strength distribution for a fiber embedded in a single-fiber composite. The elasto-plastic shear-lag approach, which considers the non-linear stress/strain curve of the matrix, has been developed to obtain the stress distribution for the fiber fragments. Elasto-plastic finite-element analysis was conducted to check the validity of the present approach. The numbers of fiber breaks were measured through the SFC test and favorably compared with the prediction by the Monte Carlo simulation using the present shear-lag approach. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.