A new analytical shear-lag based model for prediction of the steady state creep deformations of some short fiber composites

A new analytical model based on the shear-lag theory is developed for stress analysis and prediction of the steady state creep deformation of short fiber composites subjected to an applied axial load. A perfect fiber/matrix interface is assumed and the steady state creep behavior of the matrix is described by an exponential law. The results obtained from the proposed analytical solution satisfy the equilibrium and constitutive creep equations. These analytical results are then validated by the FEM modeling. Interestingly, good agreements are found between the analytical and numerical predictions for all the stress and displacement rate components.