Time evolution of stress redistribution around multiple fiber breaks in a composite with viscous and viscoelastic matrices (Q1286168)

We develop a computational technique, called viscous break interaction, to determine the time evolution of fiber and matrix stresses around a large, arbitrary array of fiber breaks in a unidirectional composite with a matrix that creeps. The matrix is assumed to be linearly viscoelastic or viscous in shear, following a power-law in time (creep exponent \(0\leq\alpha\leq 1\)), and interface debonding or slip is not permitted. We apply the method to problems involving large transverse cracks (i.e., aligned, contiguous breaks), fully bridged cracks, and arrays of interacting, longitudinally staggered breaks.