A new model for the transverse modulus of unidirectional fiber composites

In this paper a new micromechanical model for predicting the transverse modulus of unidirectional continuous and discontinuous fiber composites is proposed. This model is based on modeling a composite with a regular array of volume elements and constructing a stress pattern based on simple averaging procedures in the direction transverse to the fiber axis for a representative volume element. The effects of fiber aspect ratio, interfiber spacing and fiber end gap on the transverse modulus of discontinuous fiber composites are discussed in detail. The predictions of the model are compared with existing experimental results for various fiber/matrix systems and very good agreement is found. The present model has advantages over other existing models not only because the effects of fiber aspect ratio, interfiber spacing and fiber end gap are taken into account and the expression for the transverse modulus of composites is simple in form but also because the present model gives precise predictions of the transverse composite modulus. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.