Lattice of infinite bending-resistant fibers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the double-periodic lattice, composed of bending-resistant fibers. The essence of the model is that the filaments are of infinite length and withstand tension and bending. The constitutive equations of the lattice in discrete and differential formulations are derived. Two complementary systems of loads, which cause different deformation two orthogonal families of fibers, occur in the lattice. The fracture behavior of the material containing a semi-infinite crack is investigated. The crack problem reduces to the exactly solvable Riemann-Hilbert problem. The solution demonstrates that the behavior of material cardinally depends upon the tension in the orthogonal family of fibers. If tension in fibers exists, opening of the crack under action of loads in two-dimensional lattice is similar to those in elastic solid. In the absence of tension, contrarily, there is a finite angle between edges at the crack tip. Design/methodology/approach – The description of stress state in the crack vicinity is reduced to the solution of mixed boundary value problem for simultaneous difference equations. In terms of Fourier images for unknown functions the problem is equivalent to a certain Riemann-Hilbert problem. Findings – The analytical solution of the problem shows that fracture behavior of the material depends upon the presence of stabilizing tension in fibers, parallel to crack direction. In the presence of tension in parallel fibers fracture character of two-dimensional lattice is similar to behavior of elastic solid. In this case the condition of crack grows can be formulated in terms of critical stress intensity factor. Otherwise, in the absence of stabilizing tension, the crack surfaces form a finite angle at the tip. Research limitations/implications – Linear behavior of fibers until rupture. Small deflections. Perfect two-dimensional lattice. Practical implications – The model provides exact analytical estimation of stresses on the crack tip as the function of fibers’ stiffness. Originality/value – The model is the extension of known lattice models, taking into account the semi-infinite crack in the lattice. This is the first known closed form solution for an infinite lattice model with the crack.