Investigation of Damage in Unidirectional Ceramic Matrix Composites Using a Cohesive-Shear-Lag Model

The present study develops a cohesive-shear-lag model to analyze the cycling stress-strain behavior of unidirectional fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites. The model, as a modification to a classical shear-lag model, takes into account matrix cracking, partial interfacial debonding, and partial breakage of fibers. The statistical nature of partial breakage of fibers is modeled by using a cohesive force law. The validity of the model is demonstrated by investigating stress-strain hysteresis loops of a unidirectional fiber-reinforced ceramic-glass matrix composite, SiC/1723. This example demonstrates the capability of the proposed model to characterize damage and deformation mechanisms of ceramic matrix composites under tension-tension cycling loading. The dominant progressive damage mechanism with cycling in this case is shown to be accumulation of fibers breakage, accompanied by increase in interfacial debonding and smoothening of frictional debonded interface.