LOAD-ABSORPTION BY A FILAMENT IN A FIBER-REINFORCED MATERIAL.

This investigation deals with the static transfer of load to a single semi-infinite elastic fiber that is fully immersed in, and continuously bonded to, an all-around infinite elastic matrix of distinct mechanical properties. The matrix, at infinity, is assumed to be in a state of uniform uni-axial tension parallel to the embedded fiber. By means of an approximative scheme - developed and tested earlier in connection with a related simpler three-dimensional load-transfer problem - the characterization of the desired fiber-force is reduced to an integral equation of Fredholms second kind. The far-field asymptotic behavior of the force absorbed by the filament is extracted from, and used to facilitate the numerical solution of, the governing integral equation. In addition, the character of the singularity in the bond-force density at the end of the fiber is established. Extensive quantitative results, showing the distribution of the fiber-force for various choices of the relevant physical parameters, are presented. Author