ANALYSIS OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES WITH BRIDGING CRACKS IN THE PRESENCE OF CREEP

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) represent an attractive class of materials, particularly in aerospace applications where a combination of thermal and mechanical loads may present a challenge for a designer. An important feature of these materials is their ability to withstand damage without immediate failure. This emphasizes a significance of studies of damaged CMCs, particularly at high temperatures. In particular, the analysis of creep of CMCs with matrix cracks is important to accurately predict the response and reliability of such materials. The solution presented in this paper concentrates on creep in the presence of bridging cracks and uniaxial tensile load. Residual thermal stresses and the effect of temperature on the rate of creep are incorporated into the formulation.