On matrix splitting in edge notched unidirectional composites

An analytical micromechanics model, using consistent shear lag theory is developed to study the splitting mechanism in the edge notched unidirectional composites. The derived expressions include the load carrying capacity of the matrix. The governing differential equations reduce to an eigenvalue problem and thus are solved numerically. The propagation of the split can be predicted in terms of microstructural properties of the constituents for the damage configuration. The analytical results compare favorably with experimental results and model proposed by Tirosh. They also show that there is a region of intense stress concentration at the tip of the split.