By　utilizing　the　finite　element　method　(FEM)　combined　with　cell　models,　the　mechanical　behavior　of　metal　matrix　composites　(MMCs)　with　stripes　consisting　of　reinforcing　particles　was　investigated　numerically.　The　results　show　that　the　mechanical　behavior　of　MMC　with　aligned　particles　can　be　changed　by　varying　the　distance　between　the　stripes　even　if　the　volume　fraction　of　reinforcing　particles　is　kept　constant.　It　was　also　found　that　the　shape　of　reinforcing　particles　had　little　effect　on　the　mechanical　behavior　of　material,　In　the　same　way,　the　transverse　mechanical　behavior　of　fiber-reinforced　material　was　studied　and　similar　trends　with　respect　to　the　mechanical　behavior　were　found.　It　is　also　found　that　even　if　particles　are　strongly　aligned,　the　particle-reinforced　materials　behave　strongly　different　compared　to　topologically　similar　fiber-reinforced　materials.　(C)　1999　Elsevier　Science　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.