Strain rate effects on the interaction between an eccentric matrix crack and a circular inclusion in composites under dynamic loadings

The interaction between an eccentric matrix crack and a circular inclusion in composites was investigated numerically to explore the strain rate effects on the crack deflection/penetration behavior at the matrix-inclusion interface. It is found, with the increase of strain rate, that there will occur in turn the crack deflection, the double-crack fracture and the crack penetration processes for a certain material. Moreover, both higher relative interfacial strength and smaller eccentric angles can redound to the crack penetration. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the strain rate effect on the composite strength is a local structural response characteristic rather than an intrinsic material property, which sounds in agreement with that proposed by previous authors.