AN EXTENSION OF THE THEORY OF THE DEFORMATION OF FIBER ASSEMBLIES

A new approach is presented to the micromechanics or fiber assemblies, extending the current idea of the local fiber orientation distribution. The theory can predict all the differential elastic moduli of a mass in terms of its structural parameters, the density of fiber length, orientation density, fiber crimp parameters, and elastic modulus of the fiber, if the strain-force response of the elemental deformation unit of the fiber is explicitly given. The general scheme combined with the helical spring model is applied to the uniaxial compression of an isotropic mass and some effects of the fiber crimp on the compressional properties of the mass are examined and compared with experimental results.