Compressive response and failure of a micromechanical model for confined unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites

The longitudinal compressive response of unidirectional high-stiffness carbon fibres radially confined with glass fibre and embedded in an epoxy matrix are analysed in this study. The method was originally developed for reinforced concrete columns. For this class of hybrid composites, initial fiber misalignment along with material nonlinearity leads to the initiation of fibre kinking. The load carrying capability is expected to be preserved due to the presence of lateral confinement. However, compressive strength is highly depended on fibre alignment. If, via manufacturing highly aligned fibres can be formed, then this could potentially lead to micro-buckling failure initiation