An estimation for the effective force transfer medium in radial loading of the cylindrical and spherical geometries

The radial design of the cylindrical and spherical composites, subjected to the loading requires the quantitative understanding of their spatial stress distribution, which non-linearly depend on both geometry and the applied force. We develop a new framework for estimating the effective medium of the force transfer during considerable loads. Analyzing the horizontal stress profile, we have identified concave-to-convex behavior and we show that the bridging inflection point could be a measure for distinguishing the major force carrying region form the rest. Identifying such borderline, we have analytically estimated the effective force transfer medium, which has been validated via the simulation results and the respective curve-fitting into an oval. Finally, we have shown that having the same amount of material, the major force transfer region in 2D (cylinder) is ≈ 1.4 times larger than the 3D (sphere) case on the onset of yielding and y_EQ ≈ 0.53R as their equal stress elevation. The quantified force transfer region could help the design process of the radial composites subjected to considerable amount of force, with stronger surrounding, while the inner regions could compensate in strength.