A model for matrix cracking in short fiber composites

To model the crack-fiber interaction in the case of matrix cracking in short fiber composites, the plane problem of an elastic elliptical inclusion interacting with an arbitrarily oriented crack is solved, where the fiber is modeled as an elliptical inclusion. Complex potentials presented by Stagni and Lizzio (1983, J. Appl. Phys. A30, 217–221) are used to obtain the Green's function for this problem. The problem is formulated in terms of systems of singular integral equations which are solved numerically. Some detailed results are given for various crack and fiber geometries and fiber and matrix material combinations.