A peridynamic-based reconstruction and analysis method for short-fiber reinforced composites

Abstract As the complex microstructure, predicting the effective elastic properties and damage mechanisms of Short-Fiber Reinforced Composites (SFRC) continues to pose a challenge. This study presents a new reconstruction and analysis method based on PeriDynamics (PD) for SFRC. The reconstruction of the surface profiles of short-fibers obtained from Micro-CT (Micro-Computed Tomography) scanning resulted in a PD computational model that accurately reflects the actual microstructure of SFRC. The results predicted the effective elastic modulus of SFRC while fiber volume fraction and distribution have impact. Micro-cracks emerge at stress concentration regions near the fiber-matrix-fiber interfaces between two adjacent fibers, and with increasing load, these cracks gradually propagate, interact, and merge with each other. Eventually, major cracks form, leading to material failure.