Departemen Teknik Mesin

Strength of Unidirectional Lamina -

Macromechanics
 Unidirectional (UD) Composite Configuration

L = Longitudinal
T = Transverse

A continuous unidirectional fibre composite can be described as (a) parallel

fibres arranged in a matrix. The elementary cell can be considered, to a first
approximation, as constituted of fibr embedded in a cylindrical matrix base.
 Failure Theories
Failure criteria are usually expressed in terms of the basic strength
parameters referred to the principal material axes,
 Failure Theories

Lamina failure theories can be classified in the following three groups:

1. Limit or noninteractive theories:specific failure modes are predicted

by comparing individual lamina stresses or strains with corresponding
strengths or ultimate strains, for example, maximum stress and
maximum strain theories. No interaction among different stress
components on failure is considered.
2. Interactive theories : in which all stress components are included in
one expression (failure criterion). Overalll failure is predicted without
reference to particular failure modes (e.g., the Tsai-Hill and Tsai-Wu
theories).
3. Partially interactive or failure-mode-based theories: where separate
criteria are given for fiber and interfiber (matrix or interface) failures
((e.g., the Hashin-Rotem and Puck theories) .
 Maximum Stress Theory

1. Kelly adapted the maximum stress theory to composites under plane stress
conditions.
2. Failure occurs when at least one stress component along one of the principal
material axes exceeds the corresponding strength in that direction.
3. The failure condition is expressed in the form of the following subcriteria:
 Maximum Stress Theory

For a two-dimensional state of stress with τ6 = 0, the failure envelope takes

the form of a rectangle:
 Maximum Stress Theory

The stress components along the principal material axes are

 Maximum Stress Theory

The off-axis strength Fx:

when σx > 0: when σx < 0:

Maximum Stress Theory
 Maximum Stress Theory

1. The maximum stress theory is more applicable for the

brittle modes of failure of the material.

2. Does not take into account any stress interaction under a

general biaxial state of stress.

3. Closer to transverse and longitudinal tension.

 Maximum Strain Theory

1. Failure occurs when at least one of the strain components along the
principal material axes exceeds the corresponding ultimate strain in
that direction.
2. This theory allows for some interaction of stress components due to
Poisson’s ratio effects.
 Maximum Strain Theory

To apply the theory for a given general state of stress, the stress components
along the principal material axes and planes, are first obtained by stress
transformation, and then the corresponding strains are obtained from the
stress-strain relations:
 Maximum Strain Theory

The ultimate strains obtained by uniaxial or pure shear testing of the

unidirectional composite: (assuming linear behaviour to failure)
 Maximum Strain Theory
The failure criteria can be expressed in terms of stresses as follows:
 Maximum Strain Theory

For a two-dimensional state of stress, the failure envelope:

 Tsai-Hill

Failure based on the deviatoric or distortional energy. The Tsai-Hill criterion

for a two-dimensional state of stress:

In the above, no distinction is made between tensile and compressive strengths.

 Tsai-Hill

The appropriate strength values can be used according to the signs of the
normal stresses σ1 and σ2:
Tsai-Hill
 Tsai-Hill

1. The Tsai-Hill failure theory is expressed in terms of a

single criterion
2. The theory allows for considerable interaction among
the stress components
3. it does not distinguish directly between tensile and
compressive strengths
 Tsai-Wu

The Tsai-Wu failure criterion has several desirable features:

1. It is operationally simple and readily amenable to computational procedures.

2. Like the Tsai-Hill theory, it is expressed in terms of a single criterion, instead
of six sub criteria required in the maximum stress and maximum strain
theories.
3. The stress interaction terms can be treated as independent material
properties determined by appropriate experiments, unlike the Tsai-Hill theory
where the interaction terms are fixed as functions of the other terms.
4. The theory, through its linear terms, accounts for the difference between
tensile and compressive strengths.
Tsai-Wu
Tsai-Wu
 Hashin-Rothm

Failure of a lamina under a general in-plane loading can be characterized by two

failure criteria:

1. Fibre failure
Two dimensional
2. Interfibre failure

Three dimensional
 Comparison of Failure Theories

Applicability of the various theories is also related to the type of

material and state of stress.