A model is developed for monotonic and cyclic fiber sliding in a fiber-reinforced composite containing multiple cracks. The model is used to study the fatigue growth of multiple cracks in a matrix reinforced with aligned, continuous fibers, where cracks are bridged by frictionally constrained fibers. It is established that the crack tip stress intensity factor is significantly reduced in multiple cracking due to interactions among cracks and among slip zones. The fatigue crack does not grow as fast as that for a single bridged crack or for multiple nonbridged cracks, thus the approach to steady-state crack growth is significantly delayed.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Topics:
Composite materials, Fibers, Fracture (Materials), Fatigue, Fatigue cracks, Fiber reinforced composites, Fracture (Process), Steady state, Stress
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