Plane Strain Bending of Cylindrical Sectors of Admissible Compressible Hyperelastic Materials

In the theory of nonlinear elasticity of rubber-like materials, if a homogeneous isotropic compressible material is described by a strain–energy function that is a homogeneous function of the principal stretches, then the equations of equilibrium for axisymmetric deformations reduce to a separable first-order ordinary differential equation. For a particular class of such strain–energy functions, this property is used to obtain a general parametric solution to the equilibrium equation for plane strain bending of cylindrical sectors. Specification of the arbitrary function that appears in such strain–energy functions yields some parametric solutions. In some cases, the parameter can be eliminated to yield closed-form solutions in implicit or explicit form. Other possible forms for the arbitrary constitutive function that are likely to yield such solutions are also indicated.     

Mircopolar Model of Fracture for Composite Material

Failure of a composite is a complex process accompanied by irreversible changes in the microstructure of the material. Microscopic mechanisms are known of the accumulation of damage and failure of the type of localized and multiple ruptures of the fibers delamination along interphase boundaries, and also mechanisms associated with fracture of fibers. In this work, we propose a mathematical model of the local mechanism of failure of a composite material randomly reinforced with a system of short fibers. We implement the Cosserat moment model of crack tip for filament material, reinforced with whiskers or in fiber- reinforced polycrystalline materials. It is assumed that the angular distribution of the fibers is isotropic and the elastic characteristics of the fibers are considerably higher than the elastic constants of the matrix. We implement the homogenization procedure for the effective Cosserat constants similarly to the effective elastic constants. The singular solution in the vicinity of the crack tip in the Cosserat moment model is found. Using this solution, we examine the bending stresses in the filaments due to effective moment stresses in the material. The constructed model describes the phenomenon of fracture of the fibers occurring during crack propagation in those composites. The following assumptions are used as the main hypotheses for the micromechanical model. The matrix contains a nucleation crack. When the load is increased the crack grows and its boundary comes into contact with the reinforcing fibers. A further increase of the stress causes bending of the fiber. When~the fiber curvature reaches a specific critical value, the fiber ruptures. If the stress at infinity is given, the fibers no longer delay the development of failure during crack propagation The degree of bending distortion of the fiber in the vicinity of the boundary of the crack is determined by the moment model of the material. The necessity to take into account the moment stresses in the failure theory of the reinforced material was stressed in [Muki and Sternberg (1965) Zeitschrift f angew Math und Phys 16:611–615; Garajeu and Soos (2003) Math Mech Solids 8(2):189–218; Ostoja-Starzewski et al (1999) Mech Res Commun 26:387–396]. The moment Cosserat stresses were accounted also for inhomogeneous biomechanical materials by Buechner and Lakes (2003) Bio Mech Model Mechanobiol 1: 295–301. We should also mention the important methodological studies [Sternberg and Muki (1967) J Solids Struct 1:69–95; Atkinson and Leppington (1977) Int J Solids Struct 13: 1103–1122] concerned with the moment stresses in homogeneous fracture mechanics.     

Homogenization of aligned “fuzzy fiber” composites

The aim of this work is to study composites in which carbon fibers coated with radially aligned carbon nanotubes are embedded in a matrix. The effective properties of these composites are identified using the asymptotic expansion homogenization method in two steps. Homogenization is performed in different coordinate systems, the cylindrical and the Cartesian, and a numerical example are presented.     

Homogenization estimates for fiber-reinforced elastomers with periodic microstructures

This work presents a homogenization-based constitutive model for the mechanical behavior of elastomers reinforced with aligned cylindrical fibers subjected to finite deformations. The proposed model is derived by making use of the second-order homogenization method [Lopez-Pamies, O., Ponte Castañeda, P., 2006a. On the overall behavior, microstructure evolution, and macroscopic stability in reinforced rubbers at large deformations: I—theory. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 54, 807–830], which is based on suitably designed variational principles utilizing the idea of a “linear comparison composite.” Specific results are generated for the case when the matrix and fiber materials are characterized by generalized Neo-Hookean solids, and the distribution of fibers is periodic. In particular, model predictions are provided and analyzed for fiber-reinforced elastomers with Gent phases and square and hexagonal fiber distributions, subjected to a wide variety of three-dimensional loading conditions. It is found that for compressive loadings in the fiber direction, the derived constitutive model may lose strong ellipticity, indicating the possible development of macroscopic instabilities that may lead to kink band formation. The onset of shear band-type instabilities is also detected for certain in-plane modes of deformation. Furthermore, the subtle influence of the distribution, volume fraction, and stiffness of the fibers on the effective behavior and onset of macroscopic instabilities in these materials is investigated thoroughly.     

On the overall behavior, microstructure evolution, and macroscopic stability in reinforced rubbers at large deformations: II—Application to cylindrical fibers

In Part I of this paper, we presented a general homogenization framework for determining the overall behavior, the evolution of the underlying microstructure, and the possible onset of macroscopic instabilities in fiber-reinforced elastomers subjected to finite deformations. In this work, we make use of this framework to generate specific results for general plane-strain loading of elastomers reinforced with aligned, cylindrical fibers. For the special case of rigid fibers and incompressible behavior for the matrix phase, closed-form, analytical results are obtained. The results suggest that the evolution of the microstructure has a dramatic effect on the effective response of the composite. Furthermore, in spite of the fact that both the matrix and the fibers are assumed to be strongly elliptic, the homogenized behavior is found to lose strong ellipticity at sufficiently large deformations, corresponding to the possible development of macroscopic instabilities [Geymonat, G., Müller, S., Triantafyllidis, N., 1993. Homogenization of nonlinearly elastic materials, macroscopic bifurcation and macroscopic loss of rank-one convexity. Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 122, 231-290]. The connection between the evolution of the microstructure and these macroscopic instabilities is put into evidence. In particular, when the reinforced elastomers are loaded in compression along the long, in-plane axis of the fibers, a certain type of “flopping” instability is detected, corresponding to the composite becoming infinitesimally soft to rotation of the fibers.     

Analyzing the deformation of a porous medium with account for the collapse of pores

The generalized rheological method is used to construct a mathematical model of small deformations of a porous media with open pores. Changes in the resistance of the material to external mechanical impact at the moment of collapse of the pores is described using the von Mises–Schleicher strength condition. The irreversible deformation is accounted for with the help of the classic versions of the von Mises–Tresca–Saint-Venant yield condition and the condition that simulates the plastic loss of stability of the porous skeleton. Within the framework of the constructed model, this paper describes the analysis of the propagation of plane longitudinal compression waves in a homogeneous medium accompanied with plastic strain of the skeleton and densification of the material. A parallel computational algorithm is developed for the study of the elastoplastic deformation of the porous medium under external dynamics loads. The algorithm and the program are tested by calculating the propagation of plane longitudinal compression shock waves and the extension of the cylindrical cavity in an infinite porous medium. The calculation results are compared with exact solutions, and it is shown that they are in good agreement.     

Remarks on the Instability of an Incompressible and Isotropic Hyperelastic, Thick-Walled Cylindrical Tube

The problem of instability of a hyperelastic, thick-walled cylindrical tube was first studied by Wilkes [1] in 1955. The solution was formulated within the framework of the theory of small deformations superimposed on large homogeneous deformations for the general class of incompressible, isotropic materials; and results for axially symmetrical buckling were obtained for the neo-Hookean material. The solution involves a certain quadratic equation whose characteristic roots depend on the material response functions. For the neo-Hookean material these roots always are positive. In fact, here we show for the more general Mooney–Rivlin material that these roots always are positive, provided the empirical inequalities hold. In a recent study [2] of this problem for a class of internally constrained compressible materials, it is observed that these characteristic roots may be real-valued, pure imaginary, or complex-valued. The similarity of the analytical structure of the two problems, however, is most striking; and this similarity leads one to question possible complex-valued solutions for the incompressible case. Some remarks on this issue will be presented and some new results will be reported, including additional results for both the neo-Hookean and Mooney–Rivlin materials. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Differential constitutive equations of incompressible media with finite deformations

A method is proposed for constructing a system of constitutive equations of an incompressible medium with nonlinear dissipative properties with finite deformations. A scheme of the mechanical behavior of a material is used, in which the points are connected by horizontally aligned elastic, viscous, plastic, and transmission elements. The properties of each element of the scheme are described with the use of known equations of the nonlinear elasticity theory, the theory of nonlinear viscous fluids, and the theory of plastic flow of the material under conditions of finite deformations of the medium. The system of constitutive equations is closed by equations that express the relation between the deformation rate tensor of the material and the deformation rate tensor of the plastic element. Transmission elements are used to take into account a significant difference between macroscopic deformations of the material and deformations of elements of the medium at the structural level. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 158–170, May–June, 2009.     

Derivation of Micro/Macro Lithium Battery Models from Homogenization

In this article, we develop a micro–macroscopic coupled model aimed at studying the interplay between electrokinetics and transport in lithium ion batteries. The system studied consists of a solid (electrode material) and a liquid phase (electrolyte) with periodic microscopic features. In this work, homogenization of generalized Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equation set leads to a micro/macro formulation similar in nature to the one developed in Newman’s model for lithium batteries. Underlying conservation equations are derived for each phase using asymptotic expansions and mathematical tools from homogenization theory, starting from a PNP micromodel, and in particular Newman’s model is obtained as a corollary of the micro/macro approach developed here. The advantage of homogenization lies in the fact that effective parameters can be derived directly from the analysis of the periodic microstructure and from the application of the theory developed in this article. In addition, the advantages of using homogenization in Lithium ion battery modeling are outlined. Lastly, this work is a necessary step toward more general homogenized models and toward mathematical proofs, and it is also needed preliminary analysis for multiscale computational schemes.     

Comparison of Test Specimens for Characterizing the Dynamic Properties of Rubber

Dynamic material properties inferred via experiment can be strongly influenced by the choice of test specimen geometry unless care is taken to ensure that mechanical fields (stress, strain, etc.) within the specimen adequately reflect the ideal homogeneous deformation state. In this work, finite element models of simple shear, cylindrical compression, simple tension, and bi-conical shear test specimens were analyzed in order to quantify the relative conformity of each specimen to its corresponding ideal. Three metrics of conformity were evaluated, based respectively on the distributions of stress, strain, and strain energy density. The results show that a simple shear specimen provides superior conformity. Other factors involved in the selection of test specimen geometry are also discussed. Such factors include relative linearity and symmetry of measured stress–strain data, grip slip, and heat build up.     

Existence of solutions of Kraiko's problem

Three initial-boundary-value problems for the equations of gas dynamics are formulated. Successive solution of these problems yields a solution of Kraiko's problem of the isentropic transition of an ideal gas from a homogeneous state of rest to another state of rest with higher or lower density. Solutions are constructed for plane, cylindrical, and spherical layers of an ideal gas. The existence of locally analytic solutions is proved. Ural State Academy of Service, Ekaterinburg 620034. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 48–55, May–June, 2000.     

Design sensitivity analysis for the homogenized elasticity tensor of a polymer filled with rubber particles

The main purpose of this work is the computational simulation of the sensitivity coefficients of the homogenized tensor for a polymer filled with rubber particles with respect to the material parameters of the constituents. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) of this composite contains a single spherical particle, and the composite components are treated as homogeneous isotropic media, resulting in an isotropic effective homogenized material. The sensitivity analysis presented in this paper is performed via the provided semi-analytical technique using the commercial FEM code ABAQUS and the symbolic computation package MAPLE. The analytical method applied for comparison uses the additional algebraic formulas derived for the homogenized tensor for a medium filled with spherical inclusions, while the FEM-based technique employs the polynomial response functions recovered from the Weighted Least-Squares Method. The homogenization technique consists of equating the strain energies for the real composite and the artificial isotropic material characterized by the effective elasticity tensor. The homogenization problem is solved using ABAQUS by the application of uniform deformations on specific outer surfaces of the composite RVE and the use of tetrahedral finite elements C3D4. The energy approach will allow for the future application of more realistic constitutive models of rubber-filled polymers such as that of Mullins and for RVEs of larger size that contain an agglomeration of rubber particles.     

Homogenization and Global Responses of Inhomogeneous Spherical Nonlinear Elastic Shells

Homogenization of radially inhomogeneous spherical nonlinear elastic shells subject to internal pressure is studied. The equivalent homogeneous material is defined in such a way that it gives rise to exactly the same global response to the pressure load as that of the inhomogeneous shell. For a shell with general strain–energy function and inhomogeniety, the strain–energy function of the equivalent homogeneous material is determined explicitly. The resulting formula is used to study layered composite shells. The equivalent homogeneous material for an infinitely fine layered composite shell is examined, and is found to give not only the same global response, but also the same average stress field as the composite shell does.     

On constitutive modelling of porous neo-Hookean composites

In this paper a hyperelastic constitutive model is developed for neo-Hookean composites with aligned continuous cylindrical pores in the finite elasticity regime. Although the matrix is incompressible, the composite itself is compressible because of the existence of voids. For this compressible transversely isotropic material, the deformation gradient can be decomposed multiplicatively into three parts: an isochoric uniaxial deformation along the preferred direction of the material (which is identical to the direction of the cylindrical pores here); an equi-biaxial deformation on the transverse plane (the plane perpendicular to the preferred direction); and subsequent shear deformation (which includes “along-fibre” shear and transverse shear). Compared to the multiplicative decomposition used in our previous model for incompressible fibre reinforced composites [Guo, Z., Peng, X.Q., Moran, B., 2006, A composites-based hyperelastic constitutive model for soft tissue with application to the human annulus fibrosus. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 54(9), 1952–1971], the equi-biaxial deformation is introduced to achieve the desired volume change. To estimate the strain energy function for this composite, a cylindrical composite element model is developed. Analytically exact strain distributions in the composite element model are derived for the isochoric uniaxial deformation along the preferred direction, the equi-biaxial deformation on the transverse plane, as well as the “along-fibre” shear deformation. The effective shear modulus from conventional composites theory based on the infinitesimal strain linear elasticity is extended to the present finite deformation regime to estimate the strain energy related to the transverse shear deformation, which leads to an explicit formula for the strain energy function of the composite under a general finite deformation state.     

Periodic necking instabilities in layered plastic composites

A bifurcation analysis of a solid composed of alternating material layers is carried out. We study the conditions under which periodic incremental deformations (eigenmodes), consistent with an overall homogeneous stretching, can emerge when the solid is subjected to plane strain, uniaxial tension parallel to the layer interfaces. These undulatory eigenmodes are in competition with shear localization, taken here to be signaled by a loss of ellipticity of the governing incremental equations. The influence of various material parameters on this competition is discussed and contact is made with previous work.     

Single Fiber Transport in a Fracture Slit: Influence of the Wall Roughness and of the Fiber Flexibility

The transport of fibers by a fluid flow is investigated in transparent channels modeling rock fractures: the experiments use flexible polyester thread (mean diameter 280 μm) and water or a water–polymer solution. For a channel with smooth parallel walls and a mean aperture ā = 0.65 mm, both fiber segments of length ℓ = 20–150 mm and “continuous” fibers longer than the channel length have been used: in both the cases, the velocity of the fibers and its variation with distance could be accounted for while neglecting friction with the walls. For rough self-affine walls and a continuous gradient of the local mean aperture transverse to the flow, transport of the fibers by a water flow is only possible in the region of larger aperture (ā ≲ 1.1 mm) and is of “stop and go” type at low velocities. With the polymer solution, the fibers move faster and more continuously in high aperture regions and their interaction with the walls is reduced; fiber transport becomes also possible in narrower regions where irreversible pinning occurred for water. In a third rough model with parallel walls and a low mean aperture ā = 0.65 mm, fiber transport is only possible with the water–polymer solution. The dynamics of fiber deformations and entanglement during pinning–depinning events and permanent pinning is analyzed.     

Effect of viscoplastic relations on the instability strain,shear band initiation strain,the strain corresponding to the minimum shear band spacing,and the band width in a thermoviscoplastic material

We study thermomechanical deformations of a steel block deformed in simple shear and model the thermoviscoplastic response of the material by four different relations. We use the perturbation method to analyze the stability of a homogeneous solution of the governing equations. The smallest value of the average strain for which the perturbed homogeneous solution becomes unstable is called the critical strain or the instability strain. For each one of the four viscoplastic relations, we investigate the dependence upon the nominal strain-rate of the critical strain, the shear band initiation strain, the shear band spacing and the band width. It is found that the qualitative responses predicted by the Wright–Batra, Johnson–Cook and the power law relations are similar but these differ from that predicted by the Bodner–Partom relation. The computed band width is found to depend upon the specimen height.     

Propagation of electroacoustic waves in the transversely isotropic piezoelectric medium reinforced by randomly distributed cylindrical inhomogeneities

The propagation of electroacoustic waves in a piezoelectric medium containing a statistical ensemble of cylindrical fibers is considered. Both the matrix and the fibers consist of piezoelectric transversely isotropic material with symmetry axis parallel to the fiber axes. Special emphasis is given on the propagation of an electroacoustic axial shear wave polarized parallel to the axis of symmetry propagating in the direction normal to the fiber axis.The scattering problem of one isolated continuous fiber (“one-particle scattering problem”) is considered. By means of a Green’s function approach a system of coupled integral equations for the electroelastic field in the medium containing a single inhomogeneity (fiber) is solved in closed form in the long-wave approximation. The total scattering cross-section of this problem is obtained in closed form and is in accordance with the electroacoustic analogue of the optical theorem.The solution of the one-particle scattering problem is used to solve the homogenization problem for a random set of fibers by means of the self-consistent scheme of effective field method. Closed form expressions for the dynamic characteristics such as total cross-section, effective wave velocity and attenuation factor are obtained in the long-wave approximation.     

Allowance for complex loading in transversely isotropic solids

A model of plasticity for a transversely isotropic material with allowance for complex loading is developed, based on results of experiments with homogeneous cylindrical specimens of isotropic materials. An empirical model of plasticity for isotropic metals is constructed with allowance for vector properties of the material. The model is extended to a particular case of anisotropy. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 128–133, January–February, 2009.     

Physically and Geometrically Nonlinear Deformation of Spherical Shells with an Elliptic Hole

The elastoplastic state of thin spherical shells with an elliptic hole is analyzed considering that deflections are finite. The shells are made of an isotropic homogeneous material and subjected to internal pressure of given intensity. Problems are formulated and a numerical method for their solution with regard for physical and geometrical nonlinearities is proposed. The distribution of stresses (strains or displacements) along the hole boundary and in the zone of their concentration is studied. The results obtained are compared with the solutions of problems where only physical nonlinearity (plastic deformations) or geometrical nonlinearity (finite deflections) is taken into account and with the numerical solution of the linearly elastic problem. The stress—strain state in the neighborhood of an elliptic hole in a shell is analyzed with allowance for nonlinear factors __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 41, No. 6, pp. 95–104, June 2005.