A comparison between random model and periodic model for fiber‐reinforced composites based on a new method for generating fiber distributions

This article presents a new method to generate the random fiber distribution in transverse cross‐section of fiber reinforced composites with a desired high fiber volume fraction. The method, combined with random disturbance algorithm and perfect elastic collision algorithm, generates the Representative Volume Element (RVE) models through shifting fibers and avoiding fibers overlapped. The advantage of this algorithm is that it can study the continuous changing trends of both statistical characterizations and mechanical properties of the RVE models from periodic distribution to random distribution. Through analysis with compare, the generated distribution models present a convergence state after a designated disturbance time whether the initial periodic distribution is rectangular or hexagonal. We find that the transverse tensile moduli of rectangular model are higher than the random model while the hexagonal model is on the contrary. The transverse shear modulus of random model is higher than rectangular model and close to hexagonal model. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:77–86, 2017.