Modeling the mechanism of inelastic shear between fibers in a material with a unidirectional structure by thin ideally plastic interlayer

Abstract

Fracture of the fibrous material with a unidirectional structure is investigated using the "cracked fiber-in-tube" model. An inelastic shear mechanism at fibers interfaces was modeled by a thin perfectly plastic interlayer. The influence of the yield strength of the interlayer on the stress intensity factor for a crack in the fiber and the energy absorbed at the fiber fracture were investigated. It has been established that the maximum energy absorption occurs at the yield strength of the interlayer equal to about 2% of the strength of the fiber with the crack size equal to 0,9 of its radius. At this yeild strength, shear stresses occur in the interlayer at a distance from the crack not greater than 36 radiuses of the fiber. This value comparable to the aspect ratio of bearing elements of the structure of biological structural materials.