A finite element based orientation averaging method for predicting elastic properties of short fiber reinforced composites

Short fiber reinforced composites have a variety of micro-structural parameters that affect their macro-mechanical performance. A modeling methodology, capable of accommodating a broad range of these parameters, is desirable. This paper describes a micro-mechanical model which is developed using Finite Element Analysis and Orientation Averaging. The model is applicable to short fiber reinforced composites with a wide variety of micro-structural parameters such as arbitrary fiber volume fractions, fiber aspect ratios and fiber orientation distributions. In addition to the Voigt and Reuss assumptions, an interaction model is developed based on the self-consistent assumption. Comparisons with experimental results, and direct numerical simulations of Representative Volume Elements show the capability of the model for fair predictions.