This is how the stress on an
individual fibre varies with strain

This is how the stress on a matrix
on its own varies with strain

The composite stress is given by the rule of mixtures up to ε_mu \[ \sigma _{1} =f\sigma _{f}+(1-f)\sigma _{m}\]

Onset of matrix cracking

On exceeding ε_mu matrix
crack growths lead to an
increase in strain at constant
composite stress.

If the fibres fracture before the entire load is transferred to the fibres, then this is the composite failure stress. \[ \sigma _{1u} =f\sigma _{fmu}+(1-f)\sigma _{mu}\]

Composite failure

But if the entire load is
transferred to the fibres
before fibre fracture, then σ_1u = fσ_fu