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Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Variation of Fiber Characteristics on the Reliability of Fibers in a Uniaxially Loaded Tow
Dennis N. Coon
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82070>
The reliability of a uniaxially loaded fiber tow, i.e. probability that individual fibers would fail, was investigated using both an analytical and numerical simulation. The influence of two fiber characteristics, Weibull modulus of fiber strengths and standard deviation of fiber elastic modulus, along with influence of applied stress and load-carrying ability of the matrix phase was considered. It was predicted that 1% of the fibers in a tow would fail for nominal applied values of 10% of the characteristic fiber strength (engineering safety factor of 10). Redistribution of forces from failed fibers was also predicted to have a major influence on the reliability of a tow. Decreased nominal stress and increased Weibull modulus were predicted to be the most effective ways to increase the reliability of a tow. The maximum reliability was predicted to occur under conditions of low applied stress, maximum stress carried in the matrix phase, high Weibull modulus of fiber strengths, and low standard deviation of fiber elastic modulus.