CompositePro

FACT SHEET
FS#105
Micromechanics Formulations in CompositePro

The following micromechanics formulations are used in CompositePro. Table 7.4 is

an excerpt from the “Reference Guide.” The theories used in the micromechanics lamina
property predictions are all classical closed form algorithms.
7.8 Hashin, Z., “Analysis of Properties of Fiber Composites with Anisotropic
Constituents,” Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 543-550
(Sept. 1979).
7.9 Chamis, C.C., “Simplified Composite Micromechanics Equations for
Strength, Fracture Toughness, and Environmental Effects,” NASA Report
TM-83696, (January 1984).
7.10 McCullough, R.L., “Micro-Models for Composite Materials-Continuous
Fiber Composites,” Mechanical Materials Modeling, Delaware
Composites Design Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, Technomic Publishing,
Lancaster PA, pp. 64-68, (1989).

Specific formulations from the above references are:

• E11 - (Young's modulus) Rule of Mixtures (i.e. Mechanics of Materials)

E11 = Ef Vf + Em Vm
11

Where:
E11 = lamina modulus in fiber direction
Ef11 = fiber modulus in fiber direction
Vf = fiber volume
Em = matrix modulus
Vm = matrix volume fraction (Vm=1-Vf)

• E22 - (Young's modulus) Chamis Equation

Em
E =
22
1 - Vf (1 - Em /Ef )
22
Where:
E22 = lamina modulus in transverse fiber direction
Ef22 = fiber modulus in transverse fiber direction

• G12 - (shear modulus) Composite Cylinder Model

G (1+V )+G V
f 12 f m m
G =G
12 m
G V +G (1+Vf )
f 12 m m

Where:
G12 = lamina shear modulus
Gf12 = fiber shear modulus
Gm = matrix shear modulus

• ν12 - (Poisson’s ratio) Rule of Mixtures (i.e. Mechanics of Materials)

ν
12
= νf Vf + νm Vm
12

Where:
νm = matrix Poisson’s
νf12 = fiber Poisson’s
ν12 = lamina Poisson’s

• α11 - (coefficient of thermal expansion) Rule of Mixtures (i.e. Mechanics of

Materials)

E
f 11
CTE
f 11 f
V + E CTE m Vm
m
CTE 11 =
E V
f 11 f + E
m
Vm
Where:
CTE11 = lamina coefficient of thermal expansion in 1-direction
CTEf11 = fiber coefficient of thermal expansion in fiber-direction
CTEm = matrix coefficient of thermal expansion

• α22 - (coefficient of thermal expansion) Rule of Mixtures (i.e. Mechanics of

Materials)

CTE 22 = Vf CTE (1 + νf 12 ) + Vm CTE m (1 + νm )

f 11

- ( Vf νf 12 + Vm νm ) CTE11
Where:
CTE22 = lamina coefficient of thermal expansion in 2-direction

• +ε1 - Tensile strain in fiber direction (Chamis):

+e11 = (Vf) (+SIGf) / (E11)

Where:
+e11 = Tensile strain in lamina 1-direction
+SIGf = Fiber tensile strength

• -ε1 - Compressive strain in fiber direction (Chamis):

-e11 = (Vf) (-SIGf) / (E11)

Where:
-e11 = Compressive strain in lamina 1-direction
-SIGf = Fiber compressive strength

• +ε2 - Tensile strain in transverse fiber direction (Chamis):

+e22 = [ {1- [(√Vf) - (Vf)] [(1-(Em)/(Ef22)]} (+SIGm) ] / [E22]

 Where:
+e22 = Tensile strain in lamina 2-direction
+SIGm = Matrix tensile strength

• -ε2 - Compressive strain in transverse fiber direction (Chamis):

-e22 = [ {1- [(√Vf) - (Vf)] [(1-(Em)/(Ef22)]} (-SIGm) ] / [E22]

Where:
-e22 = Compressive strain in lamina 2-direction
-SIGm = Matrix Compressive strength

• γ12 - Shear strain in 1-2 plane of the lamina (Chamis):

γ12 = [ {1- [(√Vf) - (Vf)] [(1-(Gm)/(Gf12)]} (TAUm) ] / [G12]

Where:
γ12 = Shear strain in lamina 12-direction
TAUm = Matrix Shear strength

• ρ - (density) Rule of Mixtures (i.e. Mechanics of Materials)

ρ = ρ V + ρm V Where:
f f m ρf = fiber density
ρm = matrix density

CME11 and CME22 (moisture expansion coefficients) have similar formulations as CTE11
and CTE22 respectively.