Abstract: Fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites exhibit matrix cracking bridged by fibers during unidirectional tensile loading. The matrix crack is analyzed by using a method that the crack is regarded as an equivalent inclusion having discrete bridging fibers. The inclusion model and its eigenstrain are established. The matrix fracture strength for large cracks is derived from the Griffith energy criterion. The predicted values of matrix fracture strength of the present paper agree with experimentally measured values and another two theoretically predicted values.

Key words: ceramic matrix composites, bridged crack, equivalent inclusion method, matrix fracture strength