LOAD-TRANSFER IN COMPOSITES WITH A COULOMB-FRICTION INTERFACE

The transfer of load across a frictional interface between elastic solids is investigated. We formulate a model two-dimensional problem in which a fiber is extracted from, or pressed into, a half-plane to which it is connected via Coulomb friction. With a continuous distribution of dislocations to represent the slip, this problem can be reduced to solving a singular integral equation. Results of interest are the extent of the slip zone, the transfer of load from the fiber to the matrix, and the amount by which the fiber is extracted or depressed, all of which depend on the load in a non-linear fashion. Attention is focused on contrasting the results of the present analysis with approximate treatments generally incorporated into micro-mechanical models of composite materials.