Creep rupture of brittle matrix composites reinforced with time dependent fibers: Scalings and Monte Carlo simulations (Q1354946)

This paper addresses statistical aspects of the lifetime in creep rupture of unidirectional composites having brittle matrices reinforced with brittle fibers. Time dependence enters through the fibers, which fail following a probability model due to Coleman, involving power law dependence on stress level, Weibull shape and a memory integral of the load history. Starting from an ``equivalent'' short term strength model, we identify characteristic strength and length scales which depend on strain rate and other model parameters. We are then able to identify a characteristic length for the composite for purpose of developing a scaling analysis which relates parameters of strength to creep-rupture lifetime. Through Monte Carlo simulation we are able to establish key parametric relationships and distributional forms not accessible through analysis.