STRESS TRANSFER BY SHEAR IN CARBON-FIBER MODEL COMPOSITES .2. COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF THE FRAGMENTATION TEST

A simulation of the fragmentation process experienced by a single fibre embedded in a resin matrix specimen loaded in tension is presented. The model is based on a combination of two successive regimes of stress building at the fragment extremities, namely elastic stress transfer and friction, and assumes the pull-out strength as the debonding criterion. The computed ultimate fragment length and interfacial transfer shear stress are compared with the experimental results.