A damage mechanics model for compression strength of composite

A compression strength model based on damage mechanics and a Gaussian distribution of fiber misalignment is presented. The model uses only three material parameters that can be measured by well established methodologies. The compression strength and all the parameters that enter in the model were measured for the same materials. Predicted values are compared to experimental data for eleven different E-glass reinforced pultruded composites. Theoretical arguments are provided to support the use of damage mechanics and very good correlation is found between theory and experiments. Copyright 0 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.