Calculation of Transverse Poisson’s Ratio of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract

This paper proposed a calculation model of transverse Poisson's ratio of continuous fiber reinforced composite, in which the fibers are centrally arranged in a representative volume element. According to the equivalent strain rule of matrix and fiber in fiber direction, the formula of transverse Poisson's ratio was deduced by mathematical method, which shows that the transverse Poisson's ratio of the composite material is associated with the Poisson's ratios and the elastic modulus of fiber and matrix. It was shown by an example that the transverse Poisson's ratio of composite was less than the weighted average number of the Poisson's ratios of fiber and matrix , even less than the matrix Poisson's ratio in a large range. The minimum value indicates that the fibers obviously resist longitudinal deformation under the transverse force.