Generation of random distribution of fibres in long-fibre reinforced composites

Abstract

This paper presents a new model to the generation of the transversal cross-section of long-fibre reinforced composites with high fibre volume fraction, characterised by a random distribution of the reinforcements. This stochastic nature has a significant influence on the microscopical distribution of stresses and strains and therefore on damage initiation and subsequent propagation. A simple and fast algorithm to model the random distribution of fibres is proposed. The algorithm is statistically characterised and the results show that it is capable of capturing the random distribution typical of these materials even for high fibre volume fractions. Predictions of some effective properties of the lamina through finite element analyses is performed and a good agreement with experimental results is found.