Rearrangement of local stress and strain fields due to damage initiation in a model composite system

Damage initiation in ductile matrix reinforced composite systems occurs primarily by cracking of reinforcements or by decohesion at the reinforcement–matrix interface. The damage event causes a redistribution of the local stress/strain fields, and may lead to accelerated failure of the composite sample. The present work examines the mechanics of stress redistribution in a model two-phase composite material, characterized by a uniform, square...