Some modifications of Hashin’s failure criteria for unidirectional composite materials

Abstract Failure criteria for unidirectional composite materials based on Hashin’s theory are developed. Although Hashin’s criteria are very popular in composite structural applications due to their simplicity of concept and ease of use, they do not always fit experimental results well. In the present study, the fundamental hypotheses proposed by Hashin are re-examined and re-evaluated. Hashin’s criteria for the tensile fiber mode and tensile matrix mode are modified based on physical considerations. The interaction between the fiber and matrix failure modes is also taken into account. Experimental verification for different kinds of unidirectional composites under various stress states demonstrates that the proposed failure criteria have good improvements over Hashin’s criteria, especially in the tensile fiber and matrix mode region. The present theory is in good agreement with physical reality and has a wide range of applicability.