Topological disorder of microstructure and its relation to the stress field

This paper addresses the problem encountered in the quantitative description of arrangements and correlations in unidirectionally reinforced composite materials. Both topological and second-order statistical measures are related to the stress variability that exists under transverse loading conditions. The main attention is paid to the variability of interfacial maximal radial stresses which are primary sources of an interfacial debonding. Correlation measures have been suggested for global, as well as local, correlations. It is shown that a further improvement of the local correlation measures is necessary if it is going to be used as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint most loaded, local areas of the microstructure. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.