Abstract:
The objective of this study is to analyse the residual stresses induced in fibre prestressed composites. Both theoretical
and numerical methods have been included in the analysis. Macro-mechanical approach of fibre reinforced composite has
been developed to include the prestressing effect that suitable for analysing both unidirectional and plain-weave fabric
composites. A new simplistic theoretical model was also derived to estimate residual stresses in composite constituents
due to releasing the fibre pretension load. This model can be successfully used for composites reinforced by unidirectional
fibres. Prestressed composites were modelled numerically in order to validate the theoretical results and estimate the full
distribution of residual stresses within the composite constituent more precisely. Good agreement has been obtained between
theoretical and numerical results. The results obtained in this study clearly showed that the level of induced residual
stresses within the composite constituents depends not only on fibre pretention level, but also on the composite elastic
properties.