Abstract
A volume integral equation method (VIEM) is applied for the effective analysis of plane elastostatic problems in unbounded solids containing single isotropic inclusion of two different shapes considering composite fiber volume fraction. Single cylindrical inclusion and single square cylindrical inclusion are considered in the composites with six different fiber volume fractions (0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50). Using the rule of mixtures, the effective material properties are calculated according to the corresponding composite fiber volume fraction. The analysis of plane elastostatic problems in the unbounded effective material containing single fiber that covers an area corresponding to the composite fiber volume fraction in the bounded matrix material are carried out. Thus, single fiber, matrix material with a finite region, and the unbounded effective material are used in the VIEM models for the plane elastostatic analysis. A detailed analysis of stress field at the interface between the matrix and the inclusion is carried out for single cylindrical or square cylindrical inclusion. Next, the stress field is compared to that at the interface between the matrix and the single inclusion in unbounded isotropic matrix with single isotropic cylindrical or square cylindrical inclusion. This new method can also be applied to general two-dimensional elastodynamic and elastostatic problems with arbitrary shapes and number of inclusions. Through the analysis of plane elastostatic problems, it will be established that this new method is very accurate and effective for solving plane elastic problems in unbounded solids containing inclusions considering composite fiber volume fraction.