A Mixture Model for Unidirectionally Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract : A binary mixture theory with microstructure is constructed for unidirectionally fiber-reinforced elastic composites. Model construction is based on a asymptotic scheme with multiple scales and the application of Reissner's new mixed variational principle (1984). In order to assess the accuracy of the model, comparison of the mixture model predictions with available experimental data on dispersion of harmonic waves is made for boron/epoxy and tungusten/aluminum composites. Formulas for the effective moduli are also presented, and the results are compared with the test data and other available predictions.