On the effect of fiber shape and packing array on elastic properties of fiber-polymer-matrix composites

In this study, three-dimensional finite element simulations on the base of the cell model and micromechanics are made to predict effective elastic properties of fibrous composites. The effects of fiber shape, packing array and volume fraction on the overall elastic behavior of an epoxy resin containing unidirectional glass fibers are examined. The geometrical structure includes three types of periodic fiber arrangements in cubic, hexagonal and rectangular cells. The fibers are assumed to be of four shapes; square, circular, elliptic and rectangular. The numerical results indicate that the overall transverse elastic properties are rather sensitive to both fiber shape and packing array while fiber geometry has no effect on the apparent overall Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction of the fibrous composite.