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Longitudinal Shear Loading of a
Unidirectional Composite
DONALD F. ADAMS AND DOUGLAS R. DONER
, Philco Corporation
Aeronutronic Division
Newport Beach
, California
INTRODUCTION
HE GOAL of mechanics analyses of composite materials is to predict
Tthe behavior of the material in actual structural applications. Such
structural analyses typically are based upon the assumption that the
fundamental material properties of the composite are known initially.
These material properties can be determined experimentally by testing
actual composite specimens. However, in recent years, more and more
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attention has been given to methods of analytically predicting these
basic composite material properties as a function of the properties of the
constituent materials and their geometrical relationship to each other.
Such an approach to predicting composite behavior has become
known as &dquo;micromechanics,&dquo; as opposed to the analysis of members fab-
ricated from such composites, i.e., &dquo;macromechanics.&dquo;
It has been suggested that once the basic material properties of a
unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite are completely determined, the
behavior of a member constructed of such material can be predicted by
utilizing suitable analyses [1]. These basic material properties are asso-
ciated with the response of the unidirectional composite to axial, trans-
verse, and shear loadings, respectively. In the present discussion, the
prediction of composite material properties associated with shear loading
will be considered. The shear loading, assumed to be acting along the
filaments, will be referred to as longitudinal shear loading.
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
To treat the are made as to filament
problem analytically, assumptions
packing arrangement and geometry of the individual filaments. The
method of solution to be used is based upon the existence of certain
symmetry conditions which require the assumption of a periodic array.
A rectangular filament packing array has been arbitrarily assumed, as
shown in Figure 1, although some other regular array such as hexagonal
packing could also have been utilized. It was felt, however, that a rec-
tangular array, which permits the variation of filament spacings in two
coordinate directions independently, offers more versatility than, for ex-
ample, a hexagonal array with only one geometric spacing variable. The
individual filament cross sections are assumed to be symmetrical about
each of the coordinate axes, x and y. Within this restriction, the filaments
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can be ofarbitrary shape, i.e., circular, elliptical, diamond, square, rec-
ponents are:
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where G is the shear modulus of the constituent material, i.e., filament or
matrix, in which the shear stress is being calculated. Each constituent
will be assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic in the
present formulation although, as will be discussed, these assumptions can
be relaxed, if desired.
The equilibrium equations in the x and y directions are identically
satisfied, while equilibrium in the z direction requires that
value.
Thus, a solution for the case of an average shear loading Tzx along
the boundary x = a and zero shear along the boundary y = b has been
obtained. This same procedure can then be repeated to obtain a solution
for the case of a specified average shear loading ~czy along the boundary
y = b and zero shear along the boundary x = a, i.e., specifying a uni-
form displacement, w~~, along the boundary y b, and solving the dis- =
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In solving the problems outlined, it is necessary to establish continuity
conditions the interface between the filament and the matrix. These
at
conditions, which are identical in both problems, are as follows:
zy loading only
SOLUTION TECHNIQUE
The solution of the problem outlined in the previous section has been
formulated using a finite difference representation and a numerical re-
laxation procedure designed for high-speed digital computer operation.
The finite difference approximations of the partial derivatives contained
in Equations (2) and (3) make use of irregular grid spacings in both
coordinate directions. This is an important feature of the solution in
that it permits the use of close grid spacings in regions where it is de-
sired to determine stresses very accurately, e.g., in areas of high stress
concentration where stress gradients are very high, while permitting a
coarser spacing in less critical regions. This permits a given degree of
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First Irregular Central Di$erences.
The terms a, through al2 represent distances measured from the point
( i, ~ ) at which the difference form is being expressed (point 0 in Figure
3) to surrounding points (numbered 1 through 12 in Figure 3 ) . Node
points 5 through 8 are not actually used in the longitudinal shear prob-
lem since they are associated with partial derivatives of the form éJ2f I éJxéJy
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which do not appear in the formulation. The subscripts on each displace-
ment term, w, identify the grid coordinates of that displacement in terms
of the point ( i, ~ ) .
Central differences are used in representing the equilibrium equation,
Equation (3). In representing the boundary condition equations, Equa-
tions (5, 6), and the interface continuity equation, Equation (8), it be-
comes necessary to use either forward or backward differences in order
to remain within the first quadrant of the fundamental region. Typically,
an array size of approximately 20 x 20 has been found to be sufficiently
accurate for the problem being considered.
Having established a finite difference residual equation in terms of
displacements at each node point, a systematic over-relaxation procedure
has been utilized in obtaining the displacement field corresponding to
the specified stress and displacement boundary conditions. The stress-
displacement relations of Equation (2), expressed in difference form, can
then be utilized to calculate stresses at any specified node point.
A detailed description of the numerical solution technique, a complete
Fortran IV computer program listing, and a sample computer output
for a typical solution are given in Reference 2.
NUMERICAL RESULTS
A representative sample of the type of numerical results which can
be obtained by utilizing the solution outlined will be presented here. No
attempt will be made to present a complete parametric study, however.
In Figures 4 and 5 are presented values of stress concentration fac-
tors, SCF, and normalized composite shear stiffnesses, G/Gm, respec-
tively, for circular filaments in a square packing array subjected to a
shear stress component ’Czx. These results are plotted as functions of the
ratio of the shear moduli of the constituents, G¡/Gm, for various filament
volume contents, vf. The values of SCF plotted represent the maximum
shear stress occurring in the composite divided by the applied shear
stress ~czx. The maximum value occurs in the matrix at the intersection
of the filament-matrix interface with the x-axis (see Figure 1 or 2), i.e.,
at the point of closest proximity between adjacent filaments. The nor-
malized filament spacing, blr, is also indicated for each filament volume
content.
As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, little stiffening is obtained for fila-
ment volume contents below 50%, even when very rigid filaments are
utilized, i.e., for high values of G¡/Gm. The stiffness of the composite
is essentially that of the matrix. Also, for low values of G¡/Gm, e.g., val-
ues less than 3 or 4, little stiffening is obtained even for high filament
volume contents. However, for combinations of high filament volume
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L-ongitudinal Shear Loading of a Unidirectional Composite
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content high values of GtlGm, very significant increases in shear
and
stiffness predicted. Unfortunately, local stress concentrations also
are
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matrix can occur, these high stresses will be relieved and high shear stiff-
nesses can be obtained while maintaining adequate composite shear
strengths.
In addition to the consideration of variable constituent material prop-
erties and filament volume contents, the present analysis also permits the
study of various filament cross-sectional shapes. Although highly irregu-
lar shapes can be analyzed, relatively regular cross sections will be con-
sidered here in order to permit systematic comparisons. As examples, the
SCF and G/Gm for filaments of various elliptical cross sections and one
square cross section are compared with values obtained for circular fila-
ments in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. A value of GFIG of 120 is as-
sumed. In all of these examples, the distances between adjacent filaments,
8, were assumed to be equal in both coordinate directions. Filament
spacing, normalized by the principal dimension ; of the filament, was
taken as the plotting variable, i.e., b/r was used. This is more meaning-
ful to the present study than filament volume content, v f, since, for two
different filament geometries, equal values of v could require a signifi-
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cant difference in 8. And 6 is the significant parameter in dictating the
magnitude of the local stress concentration.
Composite stiffnesses, G/Gm, but not stress concentration factors,
SCF, are presented for square filaments since, theoretically, an infinite
stress will exist at each sharp corner. The stress at the midpoint of the
side of the square filament was found to be relatively low ( SCF = 1).
In practice it would be advantageous to use either square filaments with
rounded corners or to assume localized yielding or stress relaxation to
occur in the matrix material at the corners. Figures 6 and 7 also indicate
that significant increases in the composite shear stiffness can be obtained
when using noncircular filaments by orienting the filaments properly,
while at the same time not introducing large variations in stress concen-
tration factors.
Additional discussion of the practical implications of the present work
can be found in the reports
generated by Aeronutronic under contract
AF 33(615)-5198, entitled: Nonconservative Behavior of Composite
Materials.
Chen and Cheng [4] used the theory of elasticity and derived the com-
posite elastic moduli of parallel fibers also in a hexagonal packing.
The comparison between the numerical results of this paper with
those derived from Equation (11) is shown in Table II. In all cases, the
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Table I. Theoretical and Experimental Values of Composite Shear Modulus (G)
for Various Composite Materials
hexagonal array gives a lower value than the square array for the same
filament volume content. The results of Reference 4 are very close to
those predicted by Equation (11). Based on the results listed in Table
I, the square array gives values closer to experimental measurement than
the hexagonal array. This may be explained by the fact that the square
array is a more realistic approximation of actual composites than the
hexagonal array.
A relationship between local stress concentrations and composite
strength has not been adequately established, and hence a correlation of
theory with experiment is not yet possible. However, the qualitative
observations previously made concerning variations in SCF with filament
volume content have been experimentally substantiated by observed
losses in composite shear strength for very dense filament packings. Ad-
ditional work remains to be done in this area, however.
Because of the limited experimental data available for verification of
the theory, comparisons have also been made with another, indepen-
dently derived, theoretical solution. The problem of two elastic circular
cylindrical inclusions of different diameters and material properties con-
tained in an infinite elastic matrix and subjected to longitudinal shear
stress components has been solved by Wilson and Goree [5] utilizing a
complex variables formulation. By assuming the two inclusions to be
identical and subjected to a loading identical to that acting on a doubly
periodic array of filaments having the same relatively small spacing in one
direction and a very large spacing in the other direction, the predicted
stresses in the matrix material between filaments should be very nearly
identical in the two cases. This has, in fact, been found to be true. For
example, for GFIG,, = 20 and blr = 0.8, the two-inclusion solution gives
SCF = 2.55, whereas the doubly periodic array, with blr in one direc-
tion equal to 0.8 and equal to 6.88 in the other direction, gives SCF =
2.53. This is typical of the close agreement obtained between the two
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Table II. Stress Concentration Factors and Composite Stiffnesses
for Circular Filaments
1.61 as compared to 2.53 for a value of 8/r of 0.8 in one direction and
6.88 in the other. Thus, nearby surrounding filaments actually tend to
distribute the stress more uniformly and reduce the peak value signifi-
cantly. That this is generally true can be seen in Table II, where two-
inclusion and square-array stress concentration factors are presented for
a range of filament spacings and shear modulus ratios.
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CONCLUSIONS
It be generally concluded that local stress concentrations in a
can
lem.
However, one basic assumption made in the analysis is that both the
filaments and the matrix are linearly elastic and that no plastic or visco-
elastic behavior occurs. In an actual composite material, localized yield-
ing undoubtedly does occur in the typically weak matrix material, per-
mitting a redistribution of the high localized stresses. Depending upon
the type of matrix material being considered, either nonlinear elastic,
inelastic, or viscoelastic behavior may occur. Thus, a logical extension
of the present analysis will be to study this nonconservative material
behavior.
NOMENCLATURE
2a, 2b - Filament spacing in x and y directions
G = Shear modulus of composite or constituents
n = Normal direction
f = Dimension of filament (radius for circular filament)
SCF = Stress Concentration Factor
u, v, w - Displacements in x, y, z directions
w*, woo = Uniform displacement along x = a, y = b
vj = Filament volume content
Sub f =
Pertaining to Fiber or Filament
Sub m =
Pertaining to Matrix
Sub i, j = Grid indices in x and y directions
’Czx, LZY =
Shear stress components
’Czx, Tzy -
Components of average shear stress
8 = Filamentspacing
REFERENCES
1. S. W. Tsai, "Strength Characteristics of Composite Materials," NASA Contractor
Report NASA CR-224, April 1965.
2. S. W. Tsai, D. F. Adams, and D. R. Doner, "Effect of Constituent Material
Properties on the Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials," Air Force
Materials Laboratory Contractor Report AFML-TR-66-190, August 1966.
3. Z. Hashin and B. W. Rosen, "The Elastic Moduli of Fiber-reinforced Materials,"
, Vol. 31E (1964), p. 223.
. Applied Mechanics
J
4. C. H. Chen and Shun Cheng, "Mechanical Properties of Fiber-reinforced Com-
posites and of Perforated Solids," J , Vol. 1 (1967), p. 30.
. Composite Materials
5. H. B. Wilson, Jr. and J. G. Goree, "Transverse Shear Loading in an Elastic
Matrix Containing Two Elastic Circular Cylindrical Inclusions," Mathematical
Studies of Composite Materials III, Rohm and Haas Company Report, Hunts-
ville, Alabama, June 1966.
(received September 2, 1966)
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