The mechanics of cracking in fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) under general loadings remains incomplete. The present paper addresses one outstanding aspect of this problem: the development of matrix cracks in unidirectional plies under shear loading. To this end, we develop a model based on potential energy differences upstream and downstream of a fully bridged steady-state matrix crack. Through a combination of analytical solutions and finite element simulations of the constituent stresses before and after cracking, we identify the dominant stress components that drive crack growth. We show that, when the axial slip lengths are much larger than the fiber diameter and when interfacial slip precedes cracking, the shear stresses in the constituents are largely unaffected by the presence of the crack; the changes that do occur are confined to a 'core' region within a distance of about one fiber diameter from the crack plane. Instead, the driving force for crack growth derives mainly from the axial stresses - tensile in the fibers and compressive in the matrix - that arise upon cracking. These stresses are well-approximated by solutions based on shear-lag analysis. Combining these solutions with the governing equation for crack growth yields an analytical estimate of the critical shear stress for matrix cracking. An analogous approach is used in deriving the critical stresses needed for matrix cracking under arbitrary in-plane loadings. The applicability of these results to cross-ply CMC laminates is briefly discussed.

A meso-scale finite element model is developed to investigate effects of weave architecture on strain and stress evolution in an eight harness-satin SiC/SiCN composite. Fiber tows are modeled explicitly using elastic rebar layers embedded within elastic/plastic effective medium elements. Effects of through-thickness constraint are investigated using several idealized test geometries, ranging from a single (unconstrained) ply to a fully-constrained two-ply lay-up with periodic boundary conditions in the through-thickness direction. A parallel experimental study of surface strain evolution in a representative SiC/SiCN composite is used to assess the model predictions. The results indicate that, because of bending and straightening of wavy tow segments at the locations of tow cross-overs, strain and stress concentrations arise. The effects are exacerbated by reductions in the constraints on bending and straightening caused by matrix damage, especially in surface plies. The implications of the results in the fracture process and on potential mitigation strategies are discussed.