Theoretical and experimental analysis of strain concentration around a broken fiber using the macro-composite technique

It is important to understand the damage events in composite materials at the micro level, model elastic properties, and understand phenomenological aspects of strength. Development of an accurate representation of these phenomena at the local level is difficult but pioneering work was done by researchers at Virginia Tech. This thesis builds on the previous efforts at Virginia Tech where the experimental and analytical models were improved to include high fiber volume fractions. Experimental techniques were developed to achieve a controlled fiber fracture at a predetermined location and then measure the over-strain experienced by the neighboring rods. A finite element model was used to validate the micromechanical analysis. Quantitative measurements of perturbed strain fields were measured with embedded strain gages which were then compared with the finite element results.