Prediction of local hygroscopic stresses for composite structures – Analytical and numerical micro-mechanical approaches

The aim of this article is to propose an analytical micro-mechanical self-consistent approach dedicated to mechanical states prediction in both the fiber and the matrix of composite structures submitted to a transient hygroscopic load. The time and space dependent macroscopic stresses, at ply scale, are determined by using continuum mechanics formalism. The reliability of the new approach is checked, for carbon–epoxy composites, through a comparison between the local stress states calculated in both the resin and fiber according to the new closed-form solutions and the equivalent numerical model.