Crack bridging models for fiber composites with slip-dependent interfaces (Q1310321)

The authors investigate the role of slip-dependent interfaces in fracture of unidirectional fiber reinforced metal or ceramic matrix composites. The material in the interface region is taken as a special phase characterized by a constitutive relationship between the sliding stress and the sliding displacements. The crack bridging analysis and the subsequent analysis of matrix cracking and fiber fracture are restricted to monotonic loading cases. It is found that slip-dependent interface properties may have a strong effect on fiber fracture, while the effect on matrix cracking is relatively small. The implications of the study for the modeling of composite fatigue cracking are briefly discussed.