A micromechanical model for overlapped short platelet-reinforced composites.

An analytical model was developed for rectangular overlapped platelet reinforced composites subjected to unidirectional axial load. Two sets of the matrix/platelet displacement solutions (far-field and transient), were exactly derived based on the theory of elasticity. These displacement solutions were then superposed for achieving analytical expressions for the matrix/platelet 3D stress field components over the entire composite system including the platelet end region, using the adding imaginary fiber technique. The platelet/matrix components could exactly satisfy the equilibrium and compatibility conditions and satisfy the equilibrium requirements and the overall boundary conditions. The obtained analytical results were then validated by the Shear-lag model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]