A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF CREEP IN FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITES

A phenomenological analysis is made of the mechanism of creep in a fibre composite. This is done using virtual displacements to demonstrate the usefulness of such an approach. The creep of the composite is found to be governed by the following three processes. (i) Relaxation of shear stresses at fibre ends causing load re-distribution. (ii) Stress relaxation of the matrix causing load transfer to the fibres. (iii) Creep of the fibres. The implications of the combined effect of these processes on the mode of rupture of the composite are briefly examined. Finally, hypothetical composites are analysed to illustrate the application of the theory. Reported observations of the creep behaviour of conventional fibre-reinforced composites are explained by the theory proposed. © 1968.