Interaction Between a Nanofiber and a Crack

摘要

The interaction between a fiber (or an inclusion) and a crack is traditionally considered with isotropic fiber and matrix properties. Also, the problem is mostly confined to two-dimensional analysis with a solid fiber cross-section. Recently new fiber types like carbon nanofibers are being explored as potential matrix reinforcement. These fibers have a hollow cross-section. Also, the fiber properties are reported to be orthotropic. These new features associated with fibers need new analytical treatment where the fiber hollowness and orthotropy in elastic properties should be considered. In this study an interaction between a hollow fiber and crack is considered using finite element method as computational tool. First, a two-dimensional problem is considered with fiber cross-section in the plane of crack extension. A parametric approach is adopted where fracture parameters are computed for various configurations with respect to problem geometry and elastic properties of constituent materials. Later the investigation is extended to three-dimensional analysis where a hollow fiber with transversely isotropic fiber properties is considered interacting with a crack.