Parametric constitutive model of uni-directional fiber–matrix composite

A computational model that allows to explicitly determine transversely isotropic elastic constants of uni-directional fiber–matrix composite tow as functions of microstructure parameters has been developed in this study. These relationships are not given in the form of analytical formulae (as it is in the case of approximate analytical models) but in the form of an extensive database of numerically evaluated results for different microstructure instances and a numerical scheme that interpolates the results. To build the database, a standard finite-element-based homogenization technique of a periodic RVE is employed. The technique is enhanced by introduction of averaging procedure over different shapes of the 2D fiber layout pattern in the tow cross-section. As a result, a numerical algorithm is provided that may be easily employed in FE codes as a part of a regular constitutive subroutine. Sensitivity of the composite elastic constants with respect to the microstructure parameters is also directly available from the model.